India, Nov. 3 -- India weren't favourites to reach the final, let alone win the Women's World Cup. And those pre-tournament fears almost came true when the hosts slipped midway through the competition, losing three matches in a row - to South Africa, Australia and England - which left them on the brink of elimination. But after India's remarkable turnaround to clinch their maiden world title, captain Harmanpreet Kaur revealed it was head coach Amol Muzumdar's tough dressing-room talk after the England loss that sparked the revival.

India began their World Cup campaign at home last month with wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, but soon hit a rough patch, suffering defeats to South Africa, Australia and England, all of whom went on to reach...