Indian team suffered a heartbreaking 3-wicket defeat against South Africa as the Mithali Raj-led side failed to book a semi-final berth in the ongoing Women’s World Cup. India's last over blunder cost them a semi-final spot as they had to concede a defeat against South Africa on March 27 (Sunday).
The Sune Luus-led side exhibited a brilliant show in the ongoing Women's World Cup after they managed to win five matches out of the seven games they played.
The South Africa team also managed to register the second-highest successful run chase in the history of Women's World Cup. Previously, Australia had successfully chased a target of 278 runs against India, in the ongoing World Cup.
Nail-biting finish
South Africa needed seven runs to win from six balls. And the Sune Luus-led side ultimately scored the winning runs on the last ball of the match.
On the fifth ball of the last over, India's Deepti Sharma seemed to have dismissed Mignon du Preez initially but the South Africa batter was given not out as it was a no-ball.
Earlier, batting first, Indian team registered a good total of 274/7 in 50 overs. India’s opening batter Smriti Mandhana started the batting on a positive note as she scored 71 runs off 84 balls. Her innings was comprised of 6 boundaries and 1 six.
Another opening batter, Shafali Verma also exhibited some terrific batting skills as she hit a half-century (53 runs off 46 balls). Shafali’s innings was comprised of 8 boundaries.
Later, skipper Mithali Raj displayed her supreme batting skills as she scored 68 runs off 84 balls. The Indian skipper got a good support from Harmanpreet Kaur as the Punjab-born batter contributed scoring 48 runs off 57 deliveries.
Indian team can be slightly disappointed with their batting as they could score only 51 runs losing four wickets, in last 10 overs.
For South Africa, their bowlers Shabnim Ismail and Masabata Klaas claimed two wickets each as Ayabonga Khaka and Chloe Tryon bagged one wicket each.
Successful run chase
In reply, Indian team did get a wicket in the fifth over of the match but a solid partnership of 125 runs off 133 balls between Laura Wolvaardt (80 runs off 79 balls) and Lara Goodall (49 runs off 69 balls) helped the South Africa team in averting the early danger.
Later, Mignon played a brilliant innings of 52 (not out) off 63 balls to help her side in securing a victory against India.
Eventually, South Africa managed to clinch the win by 3 wickets.
For India, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Harmanpreet Kaur claimed two wickets each.
South Africa's win helped the West Indies team to qualify for the semi-final of the Women's World Cup. Notably, Australia, South Africa and England had qualified for the semi-final previously.
England's victory
On the other hand, in another match, defending champions England secured 100-run victory against Bangladesh to seal a semi-final spot for them.
Batting first, England had registered a total of 234/6 in 50 overs. In reply, Bangladesh could manage to score 134 runs in 48 overs.
