Cricket is a sport that is filled with emotion and passion. In a roller-coaster thriller, the South African side edged past the Indian side with three wickets to spare in the World Cup encounter between the two sides on 27th March 2022. With three runs required off the final two deliveries, Mignon du Preez hit the ball straight to Harmanpreet Kaur off the bowling of Deepti Sharma.
There was celebration in the Indian camp. However, it later turned out that Sharma had overstepped. So, the equation changed to two runs needed off two deliveries. There was tension in the Indian camp and on the faces of the Indian fans who had come to watch the clash. The commentary box was up on its feet.
However, du Preez kept her cool, as the South African side went past the finish line. There was jubilation and happiness in the South African camp, as the Indian players were distraught. This heartbreaking loss meant that the Indian side was knocked out of the tournament, while the Proteas qualified for the semifinals. West Indies women too were interested as a loss for India pushed them into the semis.
🚨 MUST WATCH 🚨
Drama 🔠Agony 🔠Ecstasy
An all-access, behind-the-scenes look at an epic India-South Africa finale 🔥#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/U4yMELBbfH
— ICC (@ICC) March 28, 2022
India batted first and posted a total of 274/7. Shafali Verma, senior cricketer Mithali Raj, and Smriti Mandhana slammed half-centuries for the ‘Women in Blue’. But then, a 79-ball 80 from Laura Wolvaardt and a superb 52* off 63 deliveries from Mignon du Preez helped South Africa cross the finish line off the final delivery of the match.
For the Indian side, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Harmanpreet Kaur picked up two wickets each. And, for her superb knock under pressure, Mignon du Preez won the Player of the Match award. South Africa will next take on the England in the second semifinal on 31st March 2022, while the Aussies will battle it out against the West Indies in the other semifinal fixture.
