Watch: “Heartbreaking!”- Indian women’s team in tears as no-ball costs them a semi-final spot

Watch: “Heartbreaking!”- Indian women’s team in tears as no-ball costs them a semi-final spot

"Construct 3-4 grounds in your city," Rohit Sharma's savage reply to other franchises over home ground advantage

The dramatic game between India and South Africa ended as well as ended Indian Women’s hopes for qualifying for the semi-finals of ICC Women’s World Cup on March 27 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

The Proteas needed only 3 runs off 2 balls to win the game. Deepti Sharma, who was bowling the last over dismissed a dangerous-looking Mignon du Preez. When du Preez tried to hit the ball towards the long-off, it fell into the hands of Harmanpreet Kaur very easily. As du Preez was heading towards the dressing room, the on-field umpire made her wait, then signalled Sharma’s delivery as a no-ball.

Here is how Twitterati reacted after the nail-biting finish:

Also Read | Mithali Raj breaks record for most matches captained in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup

India Women fought till the end

India Women Cricket

India won the toss and opted to bat first. The openers did their duty as Smriti Mandhana scored 71 and Shafali Verma hammered 52 runs as both of them together put on a 91-run partnership for the first wicket. Team captain Mithali Raj made another record by becoming the oldest Indian to score a fifty in the ODI World Cup. Raj hammered 68 runs off 84 deliveries. As India’s middle-order started collapsing it was Harmanpreet Kaur who stayed on the crease. She finished their innings with 48 runs off 57 balls. In the end, the score read 274/7.

South Africa’s strong response came from Laura Wolvaardt who scored 80 and Lara Goodall’s 49 helped the Proteas when the openers failed to add runs. Harmanpreet Kaur, who was bowling for the first time in this tournament grabbed two wickets to bring back India again in the game. She dismissed Goodall and Sune Luus (22). Marizanne Kapp (32) was sent back after Kaur helped to run out her.

But in the last over Kaur did another thing that made sure of India’s chances to play the semi-finals. She caught du Preez’s ball but alas! It was called a no-ball. As India kept the fielders in, du Preez then hit a four and ended billions’ hopes.

India fought till the end to secure a place in the points table. But now, West Indies notched up fourth place, replacing India, and it will face Australia in the semi-finals. England will face South Arica in the semi-finals.

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