Down with a heel injury, veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami on Thursday said winning a World Cup title remains her ultimate dream and the Indian team would first look to reach the semifinals at the women's World T20 when it is held in November this year.
Basking in the glory of becoming the first woman cricketer to take 200 wickets in One-Day Internationals, Goswami returned home on Thursday after being ruled out of the ongoing T20I series against South Africa due to a heel injury. She will now head to National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru to recover within four to six weeks time.
India have never won the coveted World Cup as they narrowly missed the ODI World Cup title going down to hosts England by nine runs at the lord's in July last year in what was their second defeat in a final. But 2018 provides them another opportunity to take a shot at glory with the World Twenty20 hosted by the defending champions West Indies from November 9-24.
"The preparation has begun from the series in South Africa. With about a year left, it's the perfect time for us to prepare in the right way," Jhulan said after returning home.
"If we win, it will be like an icing in the cake. Obviously I began playing keeping the World Cup in mind always. It does not come every year. It takes four years. It's like winning an Olympic gold," said the 35-year-old, who is in her 16th year of International cricket.
"The process take a long time, it does not happen overnight. It's the ultimate dream. The first target will be to be top four."
Jhulan said the process has begun and the upcoming series against England, Australia and Asia Cup will provide ample opportunities to sharpen their skills. "We will be well-prepared. We have a lot of matches lined up. After the series in South Africa, there will be a tri-nation T20I series against England, Australia. There is also Asia Cup," she said.