Watch: South Africa Captain Dane Van Niekerk Takes An Indirect Dig At India After Her Team Loses T20 WC Semifinal

South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk, on Thursday, took an indirect dig at India after her team went crashing out of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. South Africa’s memorable journey in the competition came to an end with a close 5-run loss to hosts and defending champions Australia in the semifinal which was affected by rain.

South Africa had to chase 98 runs in 13 overs to enter the final. However, they fell short by 5 runs. Earlier in the day, India booked their place in the final after their semifinal clash against England was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.

Heartbreaking for South Africa ?

Unbeaten in the group stage and fighting right to the end. A performance to be proud of ?#SAvAUS | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/mDJKhw9OAM

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 5, 2020

And after the match against Australia, Dane van Niekerk made a strange comment which looked like an indirect dig at India. The South Africa star said that she would rather lose a semifinal match than “get a free pass” to the World Cup final.

“I am not going to sit and lie and say, ‘You don’t think about it’,” Dane van Niekerk said, about the possibility of her team qualifying for the final if the match had been washed out by virtue of their higher tally of points in the group stage than Australia.

“I have to give credit to the ground staff; they did absolutely everything to keep us on the park. And we are here to play cricket. I’d rather lose than get a free pass into the World Cup final,” she added.

Dane van Niekerk: "I'd rather lose than get a free pass into the World Cup Final" ? #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/lVHfirT2As

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 5, 2020

Well, only Dane van Niekerk could explain what she meant by a free pass to the final as India made it to the title-decider because of finishing higher in the group stage and the ICC rules. Unsurprisingly, some of the Indian fans were not at all pleased with her comments and did not waste much time in criticising her for the same.

Here are some of the reactions:

Indian women's team were undefeated in the group state.
They would have had a greater chance of winning semis against England too.

South African captain Dane van Niekerk made some stupid statements indirectly pointing out at India going through to finals.#T20WorldCup

— Akki (@hereIcomeagain7) March 5, 2020

Not sure why Dane Van Niekerk pointed out that she'd rather take a loss, instead getting a free entry into the World Cup finals. Everyone including she knows that both team were equally confident for the game and weather wasn't in their control,so why she took a bait against us?!

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 5, 2020

Indians support South Africa most of the time.
Those are irresponsible comments from Dane van Niekerk.
She was indirectly pointing at India going to finals.

After seeing her comments, I'm happy that South Africa didn't make it through.#T20WorldCup https://t.co/JLuM6SJfI2

— Akki (@hereIcomeagain7) March 5, 2020