“It wasn’t just the no ball…” – Virender Sehwag reveals the real reason behind India’s loss at ICC World Cup

“It wasn’t just the no ball…” – Virender Sehwag reveals the real reason behind India’s loss at ICC World Cup

Virender Sehwag and Indian women team

Indian Women’s team were knocked out of ICC Women’s World Cup after South Africa defeated them by three wickets at the Hagley Stadium in Christchurch on March 27. Reacting to India’s defeat, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag opened up about how the no-balls have caused India over the years, especially in the World Cups.

He shared about those incidents where no-ball blunders have caused India’s defeat in major ICC events. Along with Deepti Sharma’s recent no-ball in the match against the Proteas, he shared a picture of a no-ball delivered by spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the semi-final match against the West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup in 2016. He also shared the picture of spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s no-ball during the match against arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.

He wrote: “It wasn’t just the no-ball which cost India the game today but sometimes an inch costs moment that takes decades to achieve and are possibly once in a lifetime achievement for many players. Disappointing end to India’s campaign.”

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A no-ball in the World Cup will haunt the Indian Women team

World Cup
Indian women team

In the match, Mithali Raj-led India scored a massive total of 275 runs. South Africa, in their response, did try to play till the end even though their top batters got out pretty soon. The thriller final over will haunt the Indian team as a small but huge mistake failed them.

Mithali Raj handed the ball to their experienced spinner, Deepti Sharma. The pressure was felt by both sides. Mignon du Preez was standing at the crease at a time when the other batters didn’t give many runs with the bat. Du Preez tried to hit the ball to cross the boundary but at the long-on was standing Harmanpreet Kaur.

The catch of du Preez was a comfortable one, and with this catch by Kaur, India started celebrating. Du Preez started walking but was stopped by the on-field umpire. The decision shocked India because the bowler had overstepped the crease. When the match had become a draw, South Africa needed only one run in one ball, du Preez then hit a match-winning ball that crossed the boundary and so the Proteas won the match and India was knocked out of ICC Women’s World Cup.

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