India women suffer World Cup heartbreak after SA’s last-ball win

The three-wicket loss in their final league game pushed the 2017 finalists to fifth on the points table and out of a semi-final spot

South Africa needed seven runs off the last over and India skipper Mithali Raj knew a defeat in the last league match meant an end to India’s campaign in the women’s ODI World Cup.

India were knocked out of the Women's WC with loss to South Africa. (Twitter/BCCIWomen)

Raj picked Deepti Sharma to bowl with Trisha Chetty and Mignon du Preez batting. Sharma, who sat out the previous two games, could have turned it around by helping India defend 274 at Christchurch on Sunday. But a narrow no-ball off the fifth delivery

With four needed off the last two balls, Sharma’s over-stepping led to a free-hit, and two off two balls. South Africa took a single each with the last-ball win (by three wickets) leading to heart-break for the 2017 finalists and celebration in the West Indies camp as they went through. West Indies will face favourites Australia and SA will meet England in the semis.

India had a breakthrough off the second ball when Chetty was run out by Harmanpreet Kaur. Indian fans went berserk when a set Mignon du Preez holed out to Kaur only for a no-ball to be declared.

Raj and Jhulan Goswami—a side strain kept her out of Sunday’s game—have likely played their last India games. Goswami was in the dressing room while her teammates cried on the field.

Mignon du Preez, who hit the winning run to remain 52* off 63 balls, said: “Thanks guys, and to God who gave me a no-ball. I’ve been very fortunate; the girls have supported me throughout. I did not start well with the bat, but to be able to do it for us today was special.”

Jhulan’s absence apart, India’s chances were hurt due to poor fielding and field placements. Kaur’s direct-hit did remove the dangerous Lizelle Lee (6) but Laura Wolvaardt (80—79b) and Lara Goodall (49—69b) raised a 125-run second-wicket stand to set up the successful chase.

Indian bowlers caved in to pressure. Kaur, who had hit 48, got India back in the game with a double strike, bowling Wolvaardt and trapping Sune Luus (22) in front with her off-spin.

But the consistent Marizanne Kapp hit a 30-ball 32 and with Du Preez took South Africa deep. Chloe Tryon’s 17 (9b) reduced SA’s asking rate from nine to seven.

Raj said: “I felt it was a good total…we’ve defended similar scores. Jhulan’s experience would have added a lot, but it was a good opportunity for the other bowlers. Everything does come to an end. It will take some time for the emotion to settle but that’s what sport is.”

The West Indies players were shown dancing in jubilation in a room where they had gathered to watch the game.

Openers Shafali Verma (53—46b) and Smriti Mandhana (71—84b) shared a 91-run stand off 90 balls, providing India a solid start. But Verma was run out and No 3 Yastika Bhatia fell cheaply. Raj then hit 68 off 84 balls and with Kaur helped India regain scoring rhythm. But India scored only 51 for four off the last 60 balls.

Asked if international retirement was on her mind, Raj said: “You’ve not given me even one hour to think about the future, to go through and process what has happened today. I have not planned about the future. It takes time to accept and move on from such disappointment.”