The dramatic match between India and South Africa ended and ended the Indian Women’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup held on 27 March at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Proteas only needed 3 rounds with 2 balls to win the game. Lastly, Deepti Sharma, who was bowling, played a dangerous-looking Mignon du Preez. As Du Preez tried to hit the ball long distance, it fell very easily into Harmanpreet Kaur’s hands. As Du Preez made his way to the locker room, the field referee made him wait and then signaled Sharma’s surrender without the ball.
Here’s Twitterati’s reaction after nail biting:
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Indian women fought to the end
India won the draw and chose to strike first. Openings, Smriti Mandhana scored 71 points and Shafali Verma scored 52 points as the two made their duty as they formed a 91-run partnership for the first wicket. Team captain Mithali Raj set another record as the oldest Indian to score fifty points in the ODI World Cup. Raj beat 68, made 84 deliveries. As India’s middle order began to collapse, it was Harmanpreet Kaur who stayed on the crease. He finished his standings with 57 balls in 48 runs. In the end, the score reads 274/7.
South Africa’s strong response came from Laura Wolvaardt, who scored 80 points, and Lara Goodall’s 49 assisted Proteas as the openings failed to score. Harmanpreet Kaur, who bowled for the first time in this tournament, caught two rooks to bring India back into the game. Goodall and Sune dismissed Luus (22). Marizanne Kapp (32) was sent back after helping Kaur kidnap her.
But in the final round, Kaur did something else that guaranteed India’s chances of making it to the semi-finals. He caught Du Preez’s ball, but alas! It was called ballless. With India keeping their fielders inside, du Preez reached four, ending the hopes of billions.
India fought to the end for a place on the leaderboard. But now the West Indies have taken fourth place, replacing India and will face Australia in the semi-finals. England will face South Arica in the semi-finals.
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