India, June 22 -- Harmanpreet Kaur's India were given a reality check on Sunday night as the Women in Blue went down in a thriller against South Africa in the Group A match of the Women's T20 World Cup. The reigning 50-over champions began their campaign in style by beating Pakistan and the Netherlands, but a loss to the Proteas has put India's future in jeopardy. Now, there is a real chance India won't even make the last four.

India's six-wicket loss against the Proteas has thrown Group A wide open, and any one between India, South Africa and Australia can be eliminated. The qualification will eventually boil down to the last Group A match between India and Australia on Sunday, June 28.

The net run-rate is now expected to play a key ro...