Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar left a heartfelt message for Mithali Raj's side as the Women in Blue failed to advance to the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World Cup 2022.

In a do-or-die match versus South Africa, India needed to defend 275.  However, the South African team was able to cross the line on the last ball of the innings thanks to a brilliant performance from Laura Wolvaardt (80 off 79 balls) and a half-century from Mignon du Preez. 

CWC 2022: Mithali Raj speaks on her future and retirement after India's exit from Women's World Cup

A day after the exit, Tendulkar tweeted that the Indian team can hold their head high for the effort they made. “We know you gave your best and did everything you could. Keep your heads high. We will always support you,” Tendulkar wrote on Twitter.

Here's the tweet:

Apart from Tendulkar, former India captain Virat Kohli also commented on the Indian team's early exit from the World Cup 2022.

Kohli took to his official Twitter account to praise the women's team. "It's always difficult to withdraw from a tournament you want to win, but our women's team can hold their heads high. You gave it your all, and we are proud of you," he tweeted.

Here's the tweet:

The team started their campaign with a win over arch-rivals Pakistan but lost the opportunity to play in the semifinals by just one point to the West Indies.

(ANI INPUTS)