Former captain Mithali Raj believes that India can end their long-standing trophy drought by capitalizing on crucial moments and shifting the momentum in their favour during key games at the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup. India, as hosts, will enter next month’s World Cup as favourites alongside Australia and England. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team will be seeking their first world title, having previously fallen short in the finals of the 50-over format twice. “I think India needs to seize those small moments during the big games,” Raj told ICC Digital. “That’s where the balance lies with the teams which are in contention. They try to use more of those moments to shift the momentum to their side, and India needs to seize those moments,” she added. Raj, who captained India to the World Cup finals in 2005 and 2017, believes that winning the title would have a transformative impact on women’s cricket in the country. “I think it would be huge. That is something that all players, anyone who picks up the bat and wants to represent the country, would want to win the World Cup because India hasn’t won it yet,” she said. “Yes, we’ve come close twice, but we haven’t got our hands on the Cup. Winning a World Cup at home would be great because it’s a very different stage altogether, giving all of us an opportunity to experience that.” India’s recent white-ball tour of England saw youngsters Kranti Goud and Shree Charani make their mark, with the team clinching both the T20I and ODI series. Raj was particularly impressed by 22-year-old pace sensation Goud. “I was quite impressed with Kranti Goud in England with her raw talent,” Raj noted. “She has played in the WPL (Women’s Premier League) but does not have much experience. “But the grit she shows as a seamer, trying to keep pegging in and getting wickets, is impressive. She picked up a six-wicket haul in England, and I would love to see her in the World Cup playing at home.” The Women’s World Cup begins on September 30, with India opening their campaign against co-hosts Sri Lanka. (With PTI Inputs)