"We just don't learn!" - Twitter in shock as controversial no-ball ends India's campaign in Women's World Cup
Another heartbreak for India in the Women's World Cup as an unfortunate no-ball in the last over by Deepti Sharma cost the Women in Blue a place in the semi-finals. India posted a competitive total of 274 in their 50 overs in what was virtually a knockout game, but South Africa were up for the challenge and ended India's hopes of making the final four.
Fans on Twitter were split about the no-ball as some felt a fraction of the foot was behind the line. However, they also recalled other occasions where a no-ball cost India dearly in ICC tournaments. Here are some of the reactions:
It might look like that no ball lost India the game, but in reality it was the finish with the bat.
India scored 51 in the last 10 with 7 wickets in hand. SA made 45 in last 5 with 5 wickets in hand.
No balls happen, it's a part and parcel of the game. But the larger picture
Two no balls that killed us...馃槳馃槳馃槳 https://t.co/aT7EmnNjcn
No ball in Knockouts 馃樁 https://t.co/prRzgLNZQX
Bumrah's no ball in CT17 didn't have the impact as much as deepti's did here.
Deepti Sharma's no ball - it has to be cricket's one of the biggest heartbreaks! Credit goes to Mignon du Preez for doing what the doctor had ordered. What a thriller - what a script! Again, the line - it's going to haunt. #INDvSA #CWC2022
No ball in knock-outs. We just don鈥檛 learn.
What is with no balls and Indian ODIs! Gah.
What a heartbreak馃挃馃挃馃挃That was not a no ball. Well fought & Well played girls. Hard Luck !
India Cricket Team and No ball in World Cups, ending our hopes.
#INDWvSAW | #CWC22
90-0 in 14 to scoring only 274
45 off 30 to defend with 5 wkts down, only to concede 4 fours in a row to let them off the hook
3 to win off 1 ball with the new batter on strike only for a no ball to ruin it making it 2 off 2
Heartbreaking to see the girls out of the WC this way.
Proud of u girls ! Well played ! Not a no ball . https://t.co/FGGOmtDQbQ
Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami will retire without a trophy . All thanks to a no ball at the crucial juncture. What a sad end to the careers of such legends.
What a sad end to Indian campaign. Spinner bowling a no ball should be criminal offence.
And they say Mankading is unfair.
This marginal no ball is unfair actually.
.. 
Well played #TeamIndia 馃檹..
Proud of you all, No ball cost it but doesn't matter you are all won our heart with your efforts. You are always be our Hero. Indian Cricket Team we r always with you 馃檹馃檹.. https://t.co/wIBg23rbp0
No ball cost India dearly in a World Cup again
Mithali Raj won the toss and had no hesitation to bat first. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma scored fifties and gave their team a good start. Skipper Mithali also scored a half-century and it all looked set for a big finish.
However, that was not to be the case as the South African bowlers restricted the opposition to just 51 runs in the last ten overs. The Women in Blue were going to miss the services of veteran Jhulan Goswami and needed their other bowlers to step up.
Despite an early run-out, a century stand between Laura Wolvaardt and Lara Goodall made batting look easy and it looked like their team was going to coast home. However, Harmanpreet Kaur struck gold with the ball, picking up the wickets of Wolvaardt and skipper Sune Luus.
The bowlers kept bowling some tight overs and the game went right down to the wire. With three runs required off two balls, Mignon du Preez tried to hit Deepti Sharma for a six but could only find Harmanpreet at long on.
However, Deepti overstepped and that proved to be a fatal blow to the Women in Blue. South Africa won on the last ball and Mithali Raj and Co. were distraught. South Africa will now face England in the semifinals while West Indies will take on mighty Australia.