CWC22: India vs South Africa - Heartbreak as Mithali Raj-led crash out of the World Cup

Team India has faced a heartbreaking defeat in the final ball of the last league match in the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup after South Africa chased down the 275-run target and registered a three-wicket win in Christchurch on Sunday (March 27).

India faced a defeat. (Image: Twitter/cricketworldcup)
By Samrat Chakraborty | Mar 27, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Team India has faced a heartbreaking defeat in the final ball of the last league match in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup after South Africa chased down the 275-run target and registered a three-wicket win in Christchurch on Sunday (March 27). With this, India suffered an exit and West Indies sealed a semi-final berth. However, India tried their best and it took a penultimate no-ball from Deepti Sharma that saw their exit from the World Cup campaign. West Indies have now joined Australia, South Africa and England in the semi-final as well.

Shafali-Smriti-Mithali scored fifties for India

Earlier, Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and skipper Mithali Raj (68) hit half-centuries and set the platform for India to score a decent total of 274 for seven. But, South Africa kept their nerves and chased down the target in the final ball with Laura Wolvaardt (80), Mignon du Preez (52 not out) and Lara Goodall (49) scoring the bulk of the runs as well.

India chose to bat in the high-pressure game where Shafali (53 off 46) and Smriti (71 off 84) added a 91-run stand which came off 90 balls for the opening wicket and gave India a flying start. While Shafali took the charge, Smriti anchored the innings and soon the former registered her maiden World Cup fifty. She put South Africa pace bowler, Shabnim Ismail under the pump by smashing three boundaries in her second over.

READ MORE – CWC22: Australia vs Bangladesh – Aussies survive a scare to claim another win

With the way the openers were scoring, it felt they would score over 300. However, India lost Shafali in a bizarre way before Yastika Bhatia too lost her wicket while playing a sweep. Then both Mithali and Smriti steadied the ship. Mithali started slow but soon picked up the pace and hit a bunch of big shots to ease the pressure. Later, she joined with Harmanpreet Kaur and they both took the team to reach 223 for three in 40 overs. However, they scored only 51 runs off the last 60 balls and managed 274 runs in 50 overs.

Laura Wolvaardt- Lara Goddall-Mignon du Preez sealed the deal

While chasing, West Indies lost their opener, Lizelle Lee (6), by a direct throw from Kaur. But Laura Wolvaardt (80) and Lara Goodall (49) then stitched a partnership of 125 runs with timely boundaries and constant singles as well. On the course, Laura smashed another half-century in the tournament. Soon after, Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/61) broke the stand by sending Goodall in and soon Kaur bowled Laura out. Sune Luus too did well before the veteran Mignon du Preez showed her class.

She alongside Marizanne Kapp stitched 47 runs just before Kapp became the victim of a run-out. Later a quickfire cameo from Chloe Tryon and du Preez’s unbeaten 52 guided the team to a win on the final ball.

Brief scores: India 274/7 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 71, Mithali Raj 68, Shafali Verma 53; Shabnim Ismail 2-42, Masabata Klaas 2-38)) lost to South Africa 275/7 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 80, Mignon du Preez 52*, Harmanpreet Kaur 2-42, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2-62) by 3 wickets.