IND Vs SA, Women's World Cup 2022: India Crash Out With Heartbreaking Last-ball Defeat Against South Africa

Just not enough! Blowing hot and cold throughout the tournament, India needed a win in the final league match of ICC Women's World Cup 2022 against South Africa at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Sunday to make the semis. And the 2017 finalists almost did it. A last-ball defeat in the must-win game for Mithali Raj & Co tells the story of their fight, but also the missed chances in the match and during the course of the campaign. One more run here and there, one more wicket here and there, and it would have proved all the difference. But not today, not in this edition. Batting first, India rode the fifties from Smriti Mandhana (71), Shafali Verma (53) and Raj (68), and 48 from Harmanpreet Kaur to post a respectable 274/7. But South Africa survived some nervy moments to chase down the target in the last ball. Mignon du Preez was adjudged the player of the match for her unbeaten 52 off 63. In the semis, undefeated Australia meet West Indies, while South Africa face holders England, who earlier in the day beat Bangladesh by 100 runs to secure their semis spot. Catch highlights and cricket scores of IND vs SA, Women's ODI World Cup match. (REPORT | SCORECARD | IPL 2022)

216 PM IST: Adieu, Raj

India captain Mithali Raj feels "the girls gave it all", but she rues the absence of seasoned campaigner Jhulan Goswami, who missed the match due to a side-strain.

A dramatic finish to yet another #CWC22 thriller with South Africa emerging as victors on the final ball against India ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/ufPw44K4Pv
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 27, 2022

2:05 PM IST: India Are Out

Deepti Sharma once against stops in her stride. And a single to mid-off as Shabnim Ismail sensibly rotates. Scores are level. It's 1 in 1 now. And du Preez hits the last ball for a four to deep mid-wicket. South Africa chased down 274. Dreams shattered for India. The 2017 finalists are out. South Africa gift West Indies a semi-final berth.

South Africa win by three wickets. SA - 274/7; IND 275/7.

India finished fifth with six points from seven matches, thanks to wins from Pakistan, West Indies and England.

2:01 PM IST: Wicket, No-ball, And Free-hit

Mignon du Preez takes a single to square leg, and exposes new batter Shabnim Ismail, left-handed batter. 4 in 3 is the equation. A single to long off. 3 in 2. du Preez back to take the strike. Looks like she is not going to settle for a single. Ans Deepti stops in her delivery stride. Mind games. And Harmanpreet Kaur takes a catch at long off. She is everywhere. Du Preez goes for 51 off 62. South Africa need 3 in 1. Umpires checking the front foot. And du Preez survives. Well, well...

Now, it's 2 in 2.

1:54 PM IST: Run Out

Deepti Sharma on with the final over. Trisha Chetty takes a single to rotate the strike. Mignon du Preez plays the second to long on and again, Harmanpreet Kaur diving to stop. Her return to the bowler's end results in a run-out. Deepti does well to hit the target falling down, on the turn. Fifty for du Preez in 60 balls, but Chetty is run out. She goes for 7 off 7. Shabnim Ismail is the new player. South Africa need five in four. SA - 270/7 (49.2)

1:51 PM IST: 7 In 6

Rajeshwari Gayakwad on with her last over. Three singles, then Mignon du Preez hits the fourth to long on and Smriti Mandhana dives to restrict it to a couple. Another single. Du Preez on 49 off 59. Seven from the over. Gayakwad's figures: 2/61. South Africa need 7 runs in 6 balls. SA - 268/6 (49)

1:47 PM IST: 14 IN 12

Trisha Chetty is the new batter. Deepti Sharma returns for her ninth over. Four singles, and one more. And another. Six singles from it. South Africa need 14 runs in 12 balls. SA - 261/6 (48)

1:42 PM IST: 20 In 18

Rajeshwari Gayakwad on with her ninth over. Chloe Tryon plays the first ball over extra cover for a four, then another one to backward square leg. Back-to-back fours. Two singles, then a full toss. Tryon comes down and hits another four, to long off. Then, caught & bowled. Easy return catch. She goes for 17 off 9. 14 runs and a wicket from the over. South Africa need 20 runs in 18 balls. SA - 255/6 (47)

1:37 PM IST: 34 In 24

Pooja Vastrakar returns for her 6th over. Chloe Tryon takes a couple off the first, to third man. A dot, then a single. Another dot, then a four to long on. And one more, deep into the crease and flicks behind square. 11 from the over. South Africa need 34 runs in 24 balls. SA - 241/5 (46)

1:29 PM IST: Run Out

Rajeshwari Gayakwad on with 8th over. Smriti Mandhana drops Mignon du Preez at long one off the third ball. Relatively easy chance. But run out soon followed as Marizanne Kapp falls short. Harmanpreet Kaur at cover, once again, doing the hard work. A diving throw at the striker's end with Richa Ghosh doing the rest. She goes for 32 off 30. 47-run stand broken. Chloe Tryon is the next batter. SA - 229/5 (44.5)

1:24 PM IST: 49 In 36

Sneh Rana on with her last over. Marizanne Kapp hits the last ball for a four, past backward point. Nine from the over. South Africa need 49 runs in 36 balls. SA - 226/4 (44)

1:20 PM IST: 58 In 42

Harmanpreet Kaur on with her 8th over. Four singles and a double off the last. Mignon du Preez (31) and Marizanne Kapp (22) in an unbeaten 35-run stand. South Africa need 58 runs in 42 balls. SA - 217/4 (43)

1:16 PM IST: 64 In 48

Sneh Rana on with her ninth over. Five singles and a dot to Marizanne Kapp. South Africa need 64 runs in 48 balls. SA - 211/4 (42)

1:04 PM IST: 69 In 54

Harmanpreet Kaur on with her 7th over. Marizanne Kapp hits the third ball for a four, past point. 8 from the over. South Africa need 69 runs in 54 balls. SA - 206/4 (41)

1:08 PM IST: Ten To Go

Deepti Sharma continues. Three singles from the over. Sharma's figures: 0/28. Mignon du Preez and Marizanne Kapp are unbeaten on 22 off 36 and 12 off 14. South Africa need 77 runs in 60 balls. SA - 198/4 (40)

12:55 PM IST: Kaur Again

Harmanpreet Kaur returns for her fifth over. Massive shout for LBW against Sune Luus. India reviews. No bat involved. Hitting the top of the leg stump. India get the wicket. Luus goes for 22 off 27. 37-run stand in 50 balls broken. South Africa need 93 runs in 83 balls. Marizanne Kapp is the new batter. SA - 182/4 (36.1)

12:47 PM IST: 98 In 90

Rajeshwari Gayakwad returns for her seventh over. Five singles from it. Her figures so far: 1/36. South Africa need 98 runs in 90 balls. SA - 177/3 (35)

12:37 PM IST: Drinks

Meghna Singh returns for her sixth over. Five from it, including two wides. Sune Luus (22 off 31) and Mignon du Preez (10 off 17) in an unbeaten 22-run stand off 31. South Africa need 108 runs. SA - 167/3 (33)

12:29 PM IST: India On Ascendancy

Rajeshwari Gayakwad on with her 6th over. Four singles from it. 20 runs and two wickets in the last five overs. South Africa need another 118 runs. Asking rate over six now. SA - 157/3 (31)

12:19 PM IST: Kaur Magic

Harmanpreet Kaur continues. Sune Luus hits the second ball for a four, to fine leg. Then a beauty to dismantle Laura Wolvaardt (80 off 79). Enough turn and an inside edge. Bowled! Bowling for the first time in the tournament, Kaur opens the window for India. South Africa need 130 runs. Mignon du Preez in the middle. SA - 145/3 (27.5)

12:14 PM IST: Gayakwad Strikes

Rajeshwari Gayakwad on with her third over. And she breaks the 125-run stand (off 132) with the wicket off Lara Goodall (49 off 69). Stumped by Richa Ghosh. Sune Luus is the new batter. South Africa need 136 runs. SA - 139/2 (26.5).

In the previous over, Harmanpreet Kaur conceded four singles from her first spell.

12:07 PM IST: Halfway Through

Sneh Rana continues. Five from her 6th over. Laura Wolvaardt (76 off 73) and Lara Goodall (46 off 62) in an unbeaten stand of 119 in 122 balls. 26 runs from the last five. South Africa need another 142 runs. SA - 133/1 (25)

11:54 AM IST: 100-run Stand

Sneh Rana continues. Lara Goodall hits the first ball for a four, past point. Singles off the second, fourth and last. 100-run stand in 98 balls. South Africa need 161 runs. SA - 114/1 (21)

11:50 AM IST: 100 Up

Laura Wolvaardt hits the third ball for a four, to third man, then another off the last ball, through extra cover. She's on 65 off 60. Her stand with Lara Goodall (31 off 45) is 93 in 92. 12 from the over. South Africa need 168 runs. SA - 107/1 (20)

11:46 AM IST: Proteas Cruise

Sneh Rana on with her third over. Four singles and South Africa batter are happy. In the previous over, Pooja Vastrakar conceded one leg bye. South Africa need 180 runs. SA - 95/1 (19)

11:40 AM IST: 76-run Stand

Sneh Rana on with her second over. Four runs from it. 23 from the last five. South Africa need 185 runs. SA - 90/1 (17)

11:30 AM IST: Wolvaardt Fifty

Rajeshwari Gayakwad continues. Laura Wolvaardt hits the last ball for a four, to backward point. And fifty in 44 balls (eight fours). Her stand with Lara Goodall (22 off 31) is now worth 67 off 62. South Africa need 194 runs. SA - 81/1 (15)

11:25 AM IST: India Struggle

Pooja Vastrakar continues. Four runs from the over. 33 from the last five. South Africa need another 200 runs. SA - 75/1 (14)

11:19 AM IST: Double Bowling Change

Pooja Vastrakar on with her right-arm medium. Lara Goodall hits the second ball for a four through mid-wicket, and fifty-run stand with Laura Wolvaardt. In the previous over, Wolvaardt hit Rajeshwari Gayakwad for a four off the fifth. South Africa need 208 runs. SA - 67/1 (12)

11:11 AM IST: Powerplay Over

Sneh Rana continues. Laura Wolvaardt hits the last ball for a four, to square leg. Seven from the over and the highest powerplay score for South Africa in the tournament. They need 225 runs. SA - 50/1 (10)

11:07 AM IST: More From Wolvaardt

Meghna Singh on with her fifth over. Lara Goodall plays the third to square leg and takes three. Laura Wolvaardt caresses the fourth for a four, behind square, then another one, past cover. She is now the leading scorer in the tournament. 11 from the over. SA - 43/1 (9)

10:59 AM IST: Wolvaardt Beauty

Meghna Singh on with her 4th over. Two dots, then a crunchy cover drive from Laura Wolvaardt. She's been timing well but not finding the gap. Now one. A couple off the fourth, to mid-wicket. And another four, straight. A quick single to end the over. 11 from the over. SA - 28/1 (7)

10:54 AM IST: 258 More

Deepti Sharma continues. Three from her third over, including two leg byes off the third. South Africa need 258 runs. SA - 17/1 (6)

10:49 AM IST: Direct Hit, Run Out

Meghna Singh continues. A dot, then Laura Wolvaardt hits the second for a four, over backward point. A dot, then a direct hit to send Lizelle Lee back for 6 off 15. Wolvaardt plays it to mid-wicket and off for a single, but there's never a run. Harmanpreet Kaur with the direct hit. Lara Goodall, left-handed batter, joins Wolvaardt. SA - 14/1 (4.4)

10:46 AM IST: First Boundary

Deepti Sharma continues. Three from her second over. Meghna Singh leaked five in the previous over, including a four by Lizelle Lee to deep fine-leg. SA - 10/0 (4)

10:40 AM IST: Tidy Overs

Deepti Sharma on with the second over. Laura Wolvaardt beaten and the ball just misses the off-stump. Three more dots, then a single. A dot to Lizelle Lee to end the over. In the first over, Meghna Singh conceded a wide. SA - 2/0 (2)

10:32 AM IST: Chase Begins

Players are back. Meghna Singh with the new ball. Lizelle Lee to take the strike. Laura Wolvaardt is her opening partner. Target - 275.

10:16 AM IST: England Are Through

England dismissed Bangladesh for 134 to register a 100-run win. And they are in the semis. Three defeats to start the title defense, then four wins on the trot.

10:03 AM IST: India Set A Target

Singles off the last three balls. Five from the final over. 33 runs and two wickets from the last five. IND 274/7 (50)

10:01 AM IST: Kaur Goes

Ayabonga Khaka with the final over. A dot, then a couple to fine leg. And the wicket. Leg stump uprooted. Kaur goes for 48 off 57. Deepti Sharma is the new batter. IND - 271/7 (49.3)

9:58 AM IST: Bizarre

Sneh Rana gets a ripper of a delivery for her first ball from Shabnim Ismail. Well directed and given out. India takes review and its not out. Another one. Given out again, and Rana takes the review. Same outcome. Three from the over. 2/42 for Shabnim Ismail. IND - 269/6 (49)

9:52 AM IST: Ghosh Out

Shabnim Ismail with the penultimate over. She breaks a 28-run stand in 24 balls with the wicket of Richa Ghosh (8 off 13). Skier, and caught by Sune Luus at mid on. Sneh Rana is the new batter. IND - 268/6 (48.2)

9:49 AM IST: Couple Of Fours

Marizanne Kapp on with her ninth over. Two singles and a dot. Harmanpreet Kaur hits the next two for fours, to third man and long on. 11 from the over. IND - 266/5 (48)

9:44 AM IST: India Struggle

Masabata Klaas on with her 8th over. Five singles. 26 runs and two wickets in the last five overs. IND - 255/5 (47)

9:40 AM IST: Kaur Survives

Ayabonga Khaka on with her 8th over. Two singles, and three wides. Richa Ghosh drills the next through cover for three. And dropped at deep mid-wicket. Harmanpreet Kaur survives on 32 off 44. Very uncharacteristic of Chloe Tryon. Nine from the over. IND - 250/5 (46)

9:32 AM IST: Vastrakar Goes

Shabnim Ismail with her ninth over. A dot, then Pooja Vastrakar hits the second straight to Sune Luus at cover. She goes for 3 off 8. Richa Ghosh joins Harmanpreet Kaur (30 off 42). IND - 240/5 (44.2)

9:25 AM IST: Raj Goes

Masabata Klaas on with her 7th over. Harmanpreet Kaur hits the first ball for a four, over mid-wicket. A single, and Mithali Raj fails to time her shot. A skier and Chloe Tryon take another very good catch at mid off. India captain goes for 68 off 84. Pooja Vastrakar is the new batter. Raj's stand with Kaur was worth 58 in 63. IND - 234/4 (42.3)

9:15 AM IST: Ismail Continues

Shabnim Ismail continues. Five dots to Harmanpreet Kaur. She pulls the last one for a single. Four runs from Ismail's last two overs. IND - 224/3 (41)

9:10 AM IST: 47 In 48 For 4th Wicket

Ayabonga Khaka on with 7th over. A single, and Mithali Raj hits the second over the mid off for a four. A single, then a dot to mid on. Two byes, between the legs of the wicketkeeper. A single to fine leg. Nine from the over. 34 runs from the last over. IND - 223/3 (40)

9:07 AM IST: Ismail Dominates Raj

Shabnim Ismail back. Three singles, then a well-directed bouncer to Mithali Raj. India captain on the floor, again. Second today. Another dot and one more bouncer. 18 balls from Ismail to Raj, for four runs. IND - 214/3 (39)

9:02 AM IST: Raj On 60

Ayabonga Khaka returns for her fifth. A dot, then a single. Mithali raj hits the third for a four, times to perfection, past point. Two more singles. Seven from the over. IND - 211/3 (38)

8:59 AM IST: 200 Up

Chloe Tryon on with her last over. A single, past cover and fifty for Mithali Raj (69 balls, five fours). Two singles, and wide, down leg and fine take from Trisha Chetty. A dot, then a single to square leg. 200 up for India. Raj cuts the last ball for a four, to third man. raj just goes past 1300 runs in World Cup. Nine from the over. 1/51 for Tryon. IND - 204/3 (37)

8:55 AM IST: Kaur Four

Masabata Klaas continues. Two dots, then Harmanpreet Kaur goes down on her knees and sweeps for a four. Power. Two singles more. Six from the over. IND - 195/3 (36)

8:51 AM IST: Raj On 48

Chloe Tryon on with her ninth over. She starts with a loopy full toss and Mithali Raj sweeps it for a four. A single, then a dot. Harmanpreet Kaur plays the fourth to fine leg. A single, then a dot. Eight from the over. Raj on 48 off 67. IND - 189/3 (35)

8:48 AM IST: Singles

Masabata Klaas on with her fifth over. Four dots to Harmanpreet Kaur and two singles. IND - 181/3 (34)

8:45 AM IST: Tryon Show

Chloe Tryon is back for her 8th over. Three singles. 33 runs and one wicket in the last five overs. IND - 179/3 (33)

8:41 AM IST: Mandhana Goes

Masabata Klaas returns for her 4th over. A single, dot and three singles. Smriti Mandhana goes for a lofted drive off the last ball, but a stunning catch from Chloe Tryon at mid off ends her knock (71 off 84). And with that, a 80-run stand in 02 balls also comes to an end. Harmanpreet Kaur is the new batter. IND - 176/3 (31.6)

8:35 AM IST: 4th Four For Raj

Chloe Tryon back for her 7th over. A single, and Mithali Raj hits the second for a four past backward point. Two singles, and dots to Mithali. Seven from the over. IND - 172/2 (31)

Drinks

8:31 AM IST: 19 In The Last 2

Marizanne Kapp on with her 6th over. Mithali Raj plays the first to point and tight call for Smriti Mandhana at the striker's end. A single, then a wide. Mithali lofts the fourth over point for a couple, and four to extra cover boundary. She gently swipes the next for a couple to square leg. 11 from the over. IND - 165/2 (30)

Chasing England's 234/6, Bangladesh lost first wicket at 42/1 (18). They need 193 runs.

8:27 AM IST: 58 In 75 For 3rd

Sune Luus continues. A couple off the first, the two singles and 150 up for India. Another couple and two more singles to end the over. 8 from it. 34 runs in the last five. IND - 154/2

8:24 AM IST: Mandhana Fours

Marizanne Kapp returns for her fifth over. Smriti Mandhana hits the first ball for a four, to fine leg. Two singles, and dot. Mandhana guides the fifth to third man for another four. A single to end the over. 11 from the over. IND - 146/2 (28)

8:20 AM IST: Mandhana Fifty

Sune Luus on with third over. Four singles, a couple to square leg and 49 for Smriti Mandhana. A single and fifty for her. In 69 balls (four fours and a six). IND - 135/2 (27)

8:16 AM IST: Bouncer

Shabnim Ismail continues. Five dots to Mithali Raj, including a well-directed bouncer. And a couple to third man. 32 runs in 57 balls for the third-wicket stand. Smriti Mandhana and Raj on 45 and 20 respectively. IND - 128/2 (26)

8:12 AM IST: Halfway Through

Sune Luus continues. Three singles, then a dot. Another single and chance. Smriti Mandhana lofts the last ball but the ball lands just in front of a diving fielder at long of. Six from the over. In the previous over, Shabnim Ismail delivered a maiden to Mithali Raj. IND - 126/2 (25)

8:05 AM IST: Captain On

Sune Luus, leg-spinner, on. Three singles and a couple. Five from the over. IND - 120/2 (23)

8:01 AM IST: Physio In The Middle

Shabnim Ismail returns for her fourth over. Smriti Mandhana cops one on the helmet. Mandatory concussion check. She is fine. A single from the over. IND - 115/2 (22)

7:58 AM IST: Mithali Four

Chloe Tryon on with her 6th over. Smriti Mandhana takes a single off the first. Mithali Raj cuts the second for a four, past point. And a single off the last. Six from the over. 21 runs and a wicket in the last five. IND - 114/2 (21)

7:55 AM IST: 12 For 3rd, Rebuilding

Ayabonga Khaka continues. Six from the over. Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj unbeaten on 39 off 56 and 6 off 16. 0/30 for Khaka in five. IND - 108/2 (20)

7:50 AM IST: 100 Up

Chloe Tryon on with her fifth over. Smriti Mandhana takes a single off the first. A dot, then a sweep for four as Mithali Raj opens her account in the tenth ball. Then, dots to end the over. IND - 102/2 (19)

7:47 AM IST: 19 Runs In Last 5

Ayabonga Khaka on with her fourth over. A single off the first ball, and five dots to Mithali Raj. 19 runs and two wickets in the last five over. IND - 97/2 (18)

7:42 AM IST: Bhatia Goes

Chloe Tryon on with her fourth over. A single, then a couple to square leg. And Yastika Bhatia is bowled. Bizarre. Full toss and wide down the leg. She drags on. Bhatia goes for 2 off 3. Mithali Raj is the new batter. IND - 96/2 (16.3)

7:35 AM IST: Verma Run Out

Chloe Tryon on with her third over. Four dots, then a single. Smriti Mandhana plays the fifth to sweeper cover and mix-up. After stop-run-stop, Shafali Verma passes Mandhana as the wicketkeeper dislodges the bails. She goes for 53 off 46. IND - 91/1 (15)

Yastika Bhatia is the new batter.

7:30 AM IST: Verma Fifty

Masabata Klaas continues. Two dots and a single. Shafali Verma lofts the third, straight and just inside the boundary rope. Fifty for Verma in 41 balls (eight fours). One bye, a dot and the first six of the match. Some hit from Smriti Mandhana. 12 from the over. IND - 90/0 (14)

7:26 AM IST: Singles

Chloe Tryon continues. Two singles, and Smriti Mandhana misses a full toss. Another dot, and single to deep. Three from the over. IND - 78/0 (13)

7:23 AM IST: 30 In Last 5

Masabata Klaas, right-arm pacer, on. Four dots to Smriti Mandhana, and a single behind point. Just a single from the over. 30 from the last five. IND - 75/0 (12)

7:20 AM IST: Bowling Change

Chloe Tryon, left-arm spinner, on. Two dots, then a single to long off as Shafali Verma rotates the strike. Smriti Mandhana dances down and lofts the next for a four, couple of bounces to long on. A single more. Six from the over. IND 74/0 (11)

7:16 AM IST: Verma In Pain

Shafali Verma is having some issues with her left knee. Physio out in the middle.

7:14 AM IST: Powerplay Ends

Shabnim Ismail returns for third over. A dot, then a single to square leg as Smriti Mandhana flicks. That's India's highest powerplay score in the tournament (63/0). Shafali Verma picks the slower one and scoops to fine leg for a couple, and that's the most South Africa have conceded in the powerplay. Another couple to backward point. Six from the over. IND - 68/0 (10)

7:10 AM IST: Big Over

Ayabonga Khaka continues. Shafali Verma lofts the first ball over mid off, but only a couple. A dot, then another skier, this time over point. A wide, down leg and Khaka feeds Mandhana with a half volley. Fine cover drive for a four. A single, then a four as Shafali Verma hits the last ball for a four past the bowler. 13 from the over. IND - 62/0 (9)

7:06 AM IST: Mandhana Four

Marizanne Kapp on with her fourth over. Five dots, then Smriti Mandhana pulls the last one for a four. 19 in the last five overs. IND - 49/0 (8)

7:02 AM IST: Verma Four

Ayabonga Khaka on with her second over. A dot to Shafali Verma, and a couple to third man. A dot, then a four, to mid off. Two dots to end the over. IND - 45/0 (7)

6:59 AM IST: 9 In last 3

Marizanne Kapp continues. A wide, then two singles, off the second and third balls. IND - 39/0 (6)

6:54 AM IST: Bowling Change

Ayabonga Khaka on. Three dots, then a four through cover. Fifth for Shafali Verma. IND - 36/0 (5).

At Basin Reserve, England have set a 235-run target for Bangladesh.

6:50 AM IST: Tidy Kapp

Marizanne Kapp on with her second over. Two singles. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana unbeaten on 23 off 12 and 6 off 13. IND - 32/0 (4)

6:47 AM IST: Verma Onslaught

Shabnim Ismail continues. Shafali Verma flicks the first for a four to fine leg, then middles the second for four to backward point. And picks up the third from off to fine leg for another. Three fours. A couple, past point. A dot, then a no ball. A couple more. 17 from the over. That's the most expensive over for South Africa in this tournament. IND 30/0 (3)

6:42 AM IST: Mandhana Start

Marizanne Kapp with the second over. Smriti Mandhana hits the third ball, a full toss, through cover. Five from the over. IND - 13/0 (2)

6:37 AM IST: Good Start

Smriti Mandhana takes a single off the second to open the scoring. A dot, then a four through cover as Shafali Verma times her drive. And she pulls off at the last moment as Shabnim Ismail loads her fifth. Bowler not happy. Verma moves to off and the ball follows her and the bouncer. A wide given. A couple to end the over. Eight from the over.

6:32 AM IST: Play Begins

Shabnim Ismail with the new ball. Smriti Mandhana to take the strike. Shafali Verma is her opening partner.

6:24 AM IST: National Anthems

Players are in the middle. South Africa first.

6:06 AM IST: Playing XIs

A couple of changes for both sides. Meghna and Deepti in for Jhulan and Punam. This is the first time in five World Cup tournaments that India are playing without Jhulan Goswami. Lara Goodall and Masabata Klaas in for Tazmin Brits and Tumi Sekhukhune.

India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (w), Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

South Africa: Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Lara Goodall, Sune Luus (c), Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Trisha Chetty (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka.

6:01 AM IST: Toss

India captain Mithali Raj wins the toss and she opts to bat first.

Preview

The Indian women's cricket team (six points) currently sits fifth, outside the qualification spots on NRR behind England. If India can defeat South Africa, they will leapfrog West Indies (seven points from seven matches) and move into the semi-finals.

In the unlikely event of Bangladesh upsetting England, India can even afford to lose against SA.

India won their last match against Bangladesh by 42 runs. In that game, the top three of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia all made 30 or more as India’s top order finally began to click just in time for their crunch match against South Africa.

While India are trending in the right direction, South Africa have experienced a dip in form after winning their opening four games.

The Proteas suffered their first defeat of the tournament against Australia as their bowlers could not prevent the No.1-ranked side chasing down 272 to win.

Rain then washed out their match against the West Indies but not before South Africa had been reduced to 22 for four inside six overs before recovering to add 39 more when the heavens opened.