India, Oct. 19 -- India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who missed out on a well-deserved century that could have steered India home, struggled to hold back tears after the host nation suffered a third straight defeat in the ongoing Women's World Cup 2025. Chasing 289 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, Mandhana's 88 and captain Harmanpreet Kaur's record 70 were not enough, as India fell agonisingly short by just four runs on Sunday, a loss that pushed them to the brink of elimination.

Despite losing opener Pratika Rawal for six runs on the final ball of the third over, and then going two down at the close of the powerplay for just 42 runs, the two experienced batters-Harmanpreet and Mandhana-rebuilt with a 125-run stand for the third wicket,...