India, Sept. 24 -- Hosts India are serious contenders going into the Women's ODI World Cup starting on September 30. It wasn't the case eight years ago. The Mithali Raj-led side went into the 2017 edition in England unheralded, India having finished a dismal seventh four years earlier at home. However, brilliant bowling and batting, capped by current skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's sensational 171* that knocked out Australia in the semi-finals, helped them emerge runners-up.

India didn't win the final, losing to England by nine runs. However, from nowhere the women's team found an identity that has put them on a path of steady growth since. Harman, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma, part of that 2017 side, are still vital for India's title ho...