Mumbai: India were knocked out of the ICC Women’s World Cup on Tuesday night after suffering a 138-run drubbing at the hands of Sri Lanka in a crucial Group A encounter here.
Chasing a challenging total of 283, the hosts put up a pathetic show to be bowled out for 144 in 42.2 overs and finished bottom of the group.
Incidentally, this was India’s first defeat to Sri Lanka in 18 matches, having won their previous 16 games with one no result.
India lost three wickets for 38 runs in the 13th over, that of opener Poonam Raut, skipper Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur.
Kaur failed to score a run, while Raut (5), Raj (20) were trapped leg before by Eshani Kaushalya and Udeshika Prabodhini, respectively.
The India skipper shone briefly with the bat, striking four fours. The hosts reached 50 in 17 overs and it was always going to be an uphill task from there on, and they lost opener Thirushkamini Murugesan at the same score.
The middle-order failed to forge a partnership as India kept losing wickets.
India’s best partnership was for the sixth wicket between Jhulan Goswami and Reema Malhotra, who added 37 runs.
Malhotra was the top scorer for India with 38, which included two fours.
India needed at least 251 runs to edge out the West Indies on net run-rate and enter the Super Six stage.
Aussies, England and South Africa win
Meanwhile, Pakistan also crashed out after suffering a 126-run defeat to South Africa in their last group league fixture in Cuttack.
Pakistan were shot out for 81 in 29.4 overs while chasing 208 for victory as they finished their World Cup campaign winless.
South Africa rode on Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten 102 and her unconquered 128-run sixth-wicket partnership with Dane van Niekerk (55 not out) to post a competitive 207-5 in their 50 overs.
Kapp then contributed with the ball, picking up three key Pakistani wickets for 18 runs to help the Proteas register their first win in the tournament and qualify for the Super Six.
Also in Cuttack, Australia recorded a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand after opener Meg Lanning smashed her way to 112 runs.
Chasing 228 after opting to bat second, Australia raced to the win with as many as 70 balls to spare.
Lanning’s effort ensured New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates’ innings of 102 went in vain.
Despite the loss, New Zealand finished second in the group and qualified for the Super Six stage.
Defending champions England became the first team to enter the second round from Group A when they beat West Indies by six wickets.
England shot out the West Indies for 101 in 36.4 overs after the latter opted to bat first and then made heavy weather of the chase by making 103 for four in 35 overs to finish the league with four points.
Anya Shrubsole (4-21) and Arran Brindle (3-2) were the chief tormentors when England bowled. (PTI)