Who remembers that fateful night time in Christchurch? In the event you had been amongst those that watched India’s 2022 World Cup conflict towards South Africa on the Hagley Oval, the phrase heartbreak may nonetheless sting. It wasn’t simply one other group-stage match — it was the night time India’s marketing campaign got here crashing down, and Deepti Sharma’s no-ball grew to become some of the gut-wrenching moments in current cricket historical past.
How usually does ecstasy flip into despair inside a blink? With three runs wanted off two balls, Mignon du Preez miscued one to long-on, and for a short, electrifying second, India celebrated. However the pleasure did not final. The replay advised a merciless story — Deepti had overstepped. A dismissal was a no-ball, and extra importantly, a free run for the Proteas.
Out of the blue, what ought to have been three wanted off one grew to become two off two. du Preez and Shabnim Ismail calmly nudged South Africa over the road, sealing India’s destiny — and, as irony would have it, propelling the West Indies into the semifinals.
Now, three years later, as India prepares to face South Africa once more in Vizag, one can not help however surprise — have the scars of Christchurch healed? Or will the ghosts of that no-ball nonetheless linger when the 2 sides lock horns once more?
India dominating Proteas
Since that heartbreak in Christchurch, India have nicely and actually turned the tables on South Africa within the 50-over format. The scars of 2022 might have taken time to heal, however the outcomes since then converse of quiet redemption. 5 matches, 5 wins — that is the story of India’s dominance over the Proteas since that fateful World Cup night time.
The hardest take a look at got here in a bilateral collection final 12 months in Bengaluru, the place Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur’s chic centuries carried India residence by simply 4 runs on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. It was a reminder that South Africa can nonetheless push them arduous — but in addition that India now have the idea to shut out the tight ones.
So, as the 2 sides put together to fulfill once more on the grand World Cup stage, one can not help however ask — does India’s current document give them a psychological edge? Or will South Africa see this as an opportunity to lastly settle previous scores?
India have made a robust begin to the continuing event with back-to-back wins over Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But, it hasn’t all been easy crusing. Questionable DRS calls, sloppy fielding, and inconsistent middle-order batting have uncovered just a few cracks. Nonetheless, given their expertise, firepower, and historical past towards South Africa, there’s each motive to imagine they’re going to increase their recreation when it issues most.
South Africa brimming with confidence
South Africa’s marketing campaign up to now has been a research in extremes. Their World Cup opener in Guwahati was nothing wanting a nightmare — bundled out for simply 69 by a ruthless England assault on the Barsapara Stadium. It was the form of collapse that may shatter confidence early in a event.
However true to their resilient spirit, the Proteas bounced again in type. In Indore, they made a mockery of New Zealand’s complete of 232, cantering residence with six wickets and practically 9 overs to spare on the Holkar Stadium. The turnaround was emphatic — and symbolic of a aspect that refuses to remain down for lengthy.
Tazmin Brits has been on the coronary heart of that revival, rewriting document books with essentially the most a whole lot in a calendar 12 months in Ladies’s ODIs. Her kind, coupled with the expertise of Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp, makes South Africa a group that may by no means be underestimated.
So, whereas India might maintain the higher hand traditionally — 5 straight wins since that heartbreak in 2022 — the upcoming conflict is something however predictable. Taking part in at residence offers India the sting, sure, however can they hold their nerve towards a South African aspect that is proven how rapidly fortunes can flip? One factor’s sure: this contest guarantees way over simply revenge — it is about redemption, resilience, and rewriting recollections.
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