South Africa beat India on Sunday, crushing Mithali Raj and co’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup. The nail-biting finish came with multiple twists and turns and even the possibility of a super over.
The South African side was given one last lifeline in the final over after batter Mignon Du Preez survived a dismissal from spinner Deepti Sharma, who bowled a no-ball. The Proteas batter was called back to the crease after the on-field umpire called it a no-ball.
Indian skipper Mithali Raj scored 68 in 84 deliveries and was assisted by innings opener Smriti Mandhana, who managed to add 71 runs to India’s tally.
Harmanpreet Kaur, however, missed out on a half-century on Sunday against the South African side after being bowled out Ayabonga Khaka. She secured 48 runs in 57 deliveries and maintained a strike rate of 84.21 at the end of her innings.
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South African opening batter Laura Wolvaardt was the highest scoring player of the day with a strike rate of 101.27. She scored 80 runs off 79 deliveries– including 11 boundaries– before being dismissed by Harmanpreet Kaur.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s direct hit of the stumps in the fifth over of the South African innings was another highlight of the game. Lizelle Lee went for a risky run, however, Kaur threw the ball towards the stumps with precision and dismissed Lee, who had scored only six runs.
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According to a social media post from BCCI, Indian skipper Mandhana was already the youngest Indian to score a half century in the Women’s World Cup, however, her innings on Sunday also made her the oldest Indian to score a half century in the tournament.