Women's World Cup: Infighting, inconsistency plagued India's campaign; 'time to look beyond Mithali and Jhulan'

ICC Women's World Cup. The runners-up finish five years ago had changed the face of women's cricket and considering the massive strides the game made since that final in 2017, there were expectations that India would go all the way this time.

Read AlsoICC Women's World Cup: India crash out after losing a last-ball thriller to South Africa

Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and skipper Mithali Raj struck half-centuries and set the platform for India to reach a competitive 274 for seven at the Hagley Oval after opting to bat. But South Africa chased down the target off the final ball for a three-wicket win.

However what unfolded was a disastrous campaign that ended at the league stage itself. Course correction for the Indian women's cricket team has become the need of the hour. The BCCI organised series against the likes of South Africa, England, Australia and World Cup hosts New Zealand ahead of the ICC event but in the end, the players failed to deliver.

Read AlsoI've not really thought about my future: Mithali Raj on retirement call

She may have earlier hinted at a possible retirement at the end of the Women's World Cup, but veteran India captain Mithali Raj on Sunday said it's not the right time to take a call on her future just after the country's heart-breaking exit from the showpiece.

The team could never attain the consistent levels that are required to win a major event. It was a last-ball heartbreak against the South Africans on Sunday that halted their run but the Mithali Raj-led squad could not get over the line even against other SENA teams including Australia and New Zealand. The team atmosphere was also far from ideal with a long-standing rift between two senior players creating a sense of unease in the team.