Loss to New Zealand was turning point - Goswami

Jhulan Goswami, captain of the Indian women's team, has said she's happy to have regained her No. 1 bowling ranking but was disappointed with India's third place finish in the World Cup in Sydney.

India's hopes of making the final of the tournament faded after their five-wicket loss to New Zealand in the second of the Super Six matches. "Losing to New Zealand was the turning point of the tournament," Goswami told PTI.

Kate Pulford, the New Zealand batsman whose 71 set up the victory, had been reprieved on 22 when Mithali Raj dropped a sitter in the slips. Several run-out chances were also missed with the Indian fielders throwing wide of the stumps. "A little competitive approach with some good fielding back-up would have clinched us the tie against the Kiwis," Jhulan said. "It was simply not our day. We fielded badly."

India thrashed West Indies by eight wickets in their final Super Six game, but it was not enough to take the side to the final. "We faced the West Indies in our next match and won the match hands down," she said. "If we had crossed the New Zealand hurdle, the title would have been well within our reach. It's very disappointing."