Not for the first time in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup was the Indian top order found wanting. If the home team has to get the better of the so-called SENA teams (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia), at least two of the top-five batters have to make big contributions. These sides bat deep, thus 15-20 runs above par score are needed to ward off their challenge. On Thursday, despite Richa Ghosh leading the home team’s revival with a late flourish, the total of 251 eventually felt a couple dozen runs short of denying the South Africans a come-from-behind win.

‘We can revive our fortunes’

Talking after the disappointing three-wicket loss, India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur accepted that the top batters were not performing up to expectations and needed to raise their game in the upcoming matches, especially against defending champions Australia here on Sunday.