India had to win the match against South Africa to secure a place in the semi-finals in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2022. They ended up losing the match on the last ball of the innings, as South Africa chased down 275 with three wickets in hand. South Africa required three of the last couple of deliveries. Mignon du Preez, who was batting brilliantly on the personal score of 51, was on strike, while India’s talented all-rounder Deepti Sharma had the ball in hand.

The off-spinners fifth ball was tossed up on the off stump, and du Preez saw the chance to hit the winning runs. The South African charged down the ground, but hit straight to Harmanpreet Kaur at long-on. Despite holing out, the on-field umpire then gave du Preez and South Africa a lifeline by informing that Deepti Sharma overstepped by a thin margin.

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It was so close, but there was no part of the foot behind the line. With two needed off final two balls, South Africa saw off the target and eliminated India from the 2022 World Cup campaign.

Here is the video of the no-ball incident involving Deepti Sharma:

💥The unfortunate no-ball that dashed India hopes.

Deepti Sharma had Mignon du Preez dismissed in the final over, but it was overturned as she'd over-stepped!#CricketMasterUpdater pic.twitter.com/n8uVajgAGF

— Live Cricket Master Updater (@MohsinM55415496) March 27, 2022

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

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South Africa Women Playing XI: 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

Here is how the Indian fans reacted to the incident:

Nothing hurts Indian cricket more than a no ball. 💔

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 27, 2022

Also a pat on the back for Deepti.

I thought that was a solid last over under pressure. She was the one who bowled it outside off and forced du Preez (BH grip) to take it from there.

Her control was good. Unfortunately, people would remember it for that no ball.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) March 27, 2022

Spinner bowling a no ball. Heartbreaking

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) March 27, 2022

India Women's 💔
World Cup & No Ball 🥺 pic.twitter.com/04CfFQlTJ5

— Cheeks 🧩 (@kohliflowerrr) March 27, 2022

Year changed but pain of No Ball remained same😣💔 #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/9okfR0CzQc

— Aparna (@AppeFizzz) March 27, 2022

This the biggest no ball for india after bumrah s champions trophy 2017 no ball #INDvSA #CWC22 pic.twitter.com/sq4zD0GMUl

— blade runner (@PoovannaPaland3) March 27, 2022

Just view it from a different angle and its a no ball. Ridiculously marginal call. Have seen the bowlers get benefit of doubt on these before. But unfortunately, not today. #CWC22 pic.twitter.com/elhErvIm3n

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) March 27, 2022

https://twitter.com/imurAlisha/status/1508000575522103297?s=20&t=EGjcoHYNEXVPmbbtzvynFA

#INDvSA #CWC22
That No Ball !! pic.twitter.com/k1YxyMI5GL

— PRACHURJYA (@Prachurjya29) March 27, 2022