×
Deadspin | Casey Schmitt powers Giants’ comeback win over Marlins Apr 26, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Casey Schmitt (10) slides safely home on an RBI double by Rafael Devers during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead home run for the second consecutive day, Landen Roupp ran his personal winning streak to four games and the San Francisco Giants closed out a winning homestand with a 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon. Jung Hoo Lee had four hits, including a triple, and scored twice for the Giants, who rebounded from a 9-4 loss on Friday to win a second straight series and complete a 4-2 week at Oracle Park. Roupp (5-1) served up a three-run homer to Graham Pauley, his first of the season, in the second inning before taking a two-hitter and 6-3 lead two outs into the eighth. Erik Miller finished up from there, retiring all four batters he faced to pick up his second save. Roupp walked two and struck out six in the longest outing of his three-year career. A throwing error on Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez allowed the Giants to get on the board in the third and RBI hits by Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert drew the hosts even at 3-3 in the sixth before Schmitt’s difference-making blast in the seventh. Lee set the stage for Schmitt’s heroics with a leadoff single off Miami’s third pitcher, Andrew Nardi (1-1), after which Matt Chapman drew a walk. Luis Arraez sacrificed the baserunners to second and third, and with Devers moving on-deck, the Marlins elected to pitch to Schmitt, who launched his fourth homer of the year over the barrier in left-center field for a 6-3 lead. Schmitt, who also walked, scored twice and Gilbert had two hits for the Giants, who have gone 7-3 since a 6-12 start. Lee’s four hits were half of San Francisco’s total. The Marlins managed just two hits, both coming in the three-run second. Liam Hicks followed Xavier Edwards’ walk with a single, after which both jogged home on Pauley’s home run. Miami starter Max Meyer was pulled after five innings, having limited the Giants to just one run, which was unearned. He allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Casey #Schmitt #powers #Giants #comeback #win #Marlins

Deadspin | Casey Schmitt powers Giants’ comeback win over Marlins
Deadspin | Casey Schmitt powers Giants’ comeback win over Marlins Apr 26, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Casey Schmitt (10) slides safely home on an RBI double by Rafael Devers during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead home run for the second consecutive day, Landen Roupp ran his personal winning streak to four games and the San Francisco Giants closed out a winning homestand with a 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon. Jung Hoo Lee had four hits, including a triple, and scored twice for the Giants, who rebounded from a 9-4 loss on Friday to win a second straight series and complete a 4-2 week at Oracle Park. Roupp (5-1) served up a three-run homer to Graham Pauley, his first of the season, in the second inning before taking a two-hitter and 6-3 lead two outs into the eighth. Erik Miller finished up from there, retiring all four batters he faced to pick up his second save. Roupp walked two and struck out six in the longest outing of his three-year career. A throwing error on Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez allowed the Giants to get on the board in the third and RBI hits by Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert drew the hosts even at 3-3 in the sixth before Schmitt’s difference-making blast in the seventh. Lee set the stage for Schmitt’s heroics with a leadoff single off Miami’s third pitcher, Andrew Nardi (1-1), after which Matt Chapman drew a walk. Luis Arraez sacrificed the baserunners to second and third, and with Devers moving on-deck, the Marlins elected to pitch to Schmitt, who launched his fourth homer of the year over the barrier in left-center field for a 6-3 lead. Schmitt, who also walked, scored twice and Gilbert had two hits for the Giants, who have gone 7-3 since a 6-12 start. Lee’s four hits were half of San Francisco’s total. The Marlins managed just two hits, both coming in the three-run second. Liam Hicks followed Xavier Edwards’ walk with a single, after which both jogged home on Pauley’s home run. Miami starter Max Meyer was pulled after five innings, having limited the Giants to just one run, which was unearned. He allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Casey #Schmitt #powers #Giants #comeback #win #MarlinsApr 26, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Casey Schmitt (10) slides safely home on an RBI double by Rafael Devers during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead home run for the second consecutive day, Landen Roupp ran his personal winning streak to four games and the San Francisco Giants closed out a winning homestand with a 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon.

Jung Hoo Lee had four hits, including a triple, and scored twice for the Giants, who rebounded from a 9-4 loss on Friday to win a second straight series and complete a 4-2 week at Oracle Park.

Roupp (5-1) served up a three-run homer to Graham Pauley, his first of the season, in the second inning before taking a two-hitter and 6-3 lead two outs into the eighth. Erik Miller finished up from there, retiring all four batters he faced to pick up his second save.

Roupp walked two and struck out six in the longest outing of his three-year career.

A throwing error on Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez allowed the Giants to get on the board in the third and RBI hits by Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert drew the hosts even at 3-3 in the sixth before Schmitt’s difference-making blast in the seventh.


Lee set the stage for Schmitt’s heroics with a leadoff single off Miami’s third pitcher, Andrew Nardi (1-1), after which Matt Chapman drew a walk.

Luis Arraez sacrificed the baserunners to second and third, and with Devers moving on-deck, the Marlins elected to pitch to Schmitt, who launched his fourth homer of the year over the barrier in left-center field for a 6-3 lead.

Schmitt, who also walked, scored twice and Gilbert had two hits for the Giants, who have gone 7-3 since a 6-12 start. Lee’s four hits were half of San Francisco’s total.

The Marlins managed just two hits, both coming in the three-run second. Liam Hicks followed Xavier Edwards’ walk with a single, after which both jogged home on Pauley’s home run.

Miami starter Max Meyer was pulled after five innings, having limited the Giants to just one run, which was unearned. He allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Casey #Schmitt #powers #Giants #comeback #win #Marlins

Sports news

Apr 26, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Casey Schmitt (10) slides safely home on an RBI double by Rafael Devers during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead home run for the second consecutive day, Landen Roupp ran his personal winning streak to four games and the San Francisco Giants closed out a winning homestand with a 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon.

Jung Hoo Lee had four hits, including a triple, and scored twice for the Giants, who rebounded from a 9-4 loss on Friday to win a second straight series and complete a 4-2 week at Oracle Park.

Roupp (5-1) served up a three-run homer to Graham Pauley, his first of the season, in the second inning before taking a two-hitter and 6-3 lead two outs into the eighth. Erik Miller finished up from there, retiring all four batters he faced to pick up his second save.

Roupp walked two and struck out six in the longest outing of his three-year career.

A throwing error on Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez allowed the Giants to get on the board in the third and RBI hits by Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert drew the hosts even at 3-3 in the sixth before Schmitt’s difference-making blast in the seventh.

Lee set the stage for Schmitt’s heroics with a leadoff single off Miami’s third pitcher, Andrew Nardi (1-1), after which Matt Chapman drew a walk.

Luis Arraez sacrificed the baserunners to second and third, and with Devers moving on-deck, the Marlins elected to pitch to Schmitt, who launched his fourth homer of the year over the barrier in left-center field for a 6-3 lead.

Schmitt, who also walked, scored twice and Gilbert had two hits for the Giants, who have gone 7-3 since a 6-12 start. Lee’s four hits were half of San Francisco’s total.

The Marlins managed just two hits, both coming in the three-run second. Liam Hicks followed Xavier Edwards’ walk with a single, after which both jogged home on Pauley’s home run.

Miami starter Max Meyer was pulled after five innings, having limited the Giants to just one run, which was unearned. He allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Casey #Schmitt #powers #Giants #comeback #win #Marlins

Previous post

Nelly Korda officially number one in the world again <div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">There is a new number one in the world.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Nelly Korda won the Chevron Championship on Sunday, her second Chevron title in three years, and now officially has three major championships. While her career continues to become more and more decorated her 2026 season specifically is one to be impressed by as she has yet to finish worse than second at any point.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Nelly’s play has taken her to a place she knows well. On Monday she officially took the top spot within the Rolex Rankings, her first appearance atop the list since August of last year before Jenno Thitikul took the spot.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">This marks Nelly’s seventh time sitting atop the Rolex Rankings and collectively she has spent 109 weeks in the position across her career. The record for longest time spent at number one, since the inception of the Rolex Rankings, belongs to Jin Young Ko with 163 weeks. Nelly has tied Yani Tseng for the fourth-most weeks at number one, though.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It is Nelly Korda’s world right now and everyone is just living in it. We will see what else she has in store for 2026 soon enough.</p></div> #Nelly #Korda #officially #number #world

Next post

India must find way forward after South Africa T20I series drubbing: Harmanpreet Kaur <div id="content-body-70913576" itemprop="articleBody"><p>India needs to regroup and find a way forward after its disappointing 1-4 series loss to South Africa ahead of the T20 World Cup, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said.</p><p>India produced another below-par batting display while chasing a modest 156, falling short by 23 runs to cap a one-sided series defeat.</p><p>The loss, coming barely two months before the T20 World Cup in England, will be a significant setback.</p><p>“Need to sit together as a group and think how to move forward. Disappointing for us, lots of positives and learnings for us,” Harmanpreet said at the post-match presentation.</p><p>India had a poor start in the PowerPlay, losing Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues inside the first four overs, and never really recovered as South Africa kept striking at regular intervals.</p><p>“We did well in patches today. In batting, the Powerplay was something that cost us. Didn’t get too many runs and lost two wickets. It’s disappointing, need to keep working hard.”</p><p>For South Africa, skipper Laura Wolvaardt once again led from the front with an unbeaten 92 off 56 balls, anchoring the innings despite wickets falling at regular intervals.</p><p>Wolvaardt finished the five-match series with 330 runs and has been in the form of her life, registering six fifty-plus scores in her last seven international innings.</p><p>“We’ve had massive improvements in all departments in the last couple of months though. It’s been a very good season for that,” she said after being presented with the player-of-the-series award.</p><p>On the conditions, Wolvaardt said it was a challenging surface.</p><p>“It was a bit of a tough wicket today, but the PowerPlay was awesome. I liked how aggressive we’ve been in the PowerPlay. We thought it might be a flat wicket, but we weren’t surprised it was low and slow. Batting first was the right choice. There’s always things to look at and improve, the catching being one,” she added.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 27, 2026</p></div> #India #find #South #Africa #T20I #series #drubbing #Harmanpreet #Kaur

Related Posts

Delhi Capitals endured a poor outing with the bat on Monday, recording its third-lowest IPL total as Royal Challengers Bengaluru bundled it out for 75.

After being inserted, DC recorded the lowest PowerPlay score in the history of IPL with the scoreboard reading 13 for six at the end of six overs.

RCB pacers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the destruction by claiming a combined seven wickets.

Abhishek Porel, who came in as an Impact Substitute, was only DC batter to score more than 20.

Delhi’s lowest scores in the IPL

66 vs MI in Delhi – IPL 2017

67 vs KXIP in Mohali – IPL 2017

71 vs RCB in Delhi – IPL 2026

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHZKfnILQsI[/embed]

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#RCB #IPL #Delhi #Capitals #records #thirdlowest #IPL #total">DC vs RCB IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals records its third-lowest IPL total Delhi Capitals endured a poor outing with the bat on Monday, recording its third-lowest IPL total as Royal Challengers Bengaluru bundled it out for 75.After being inserted, DC recorded the lowest PowerPlay score in the history of IPL with the scoreboard reading 13 for six at the end of six overs.RCB pacers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the destruction by claiming a combined seven wickets.Abhishek Porel, who came in as an Impact Substitute, was only DC batter to score more than 20. Delhi’s lowest scores in the IPL 66 vs MI in Delhi – IPL 2017 67 vs KXIP in Mohali – IPL 2017 71 vs RCB in Delhi – IPL 2026 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHZKfnILQsI[/embed]Published on Apr 27, 2026 #RCB #IPL #Delhi #Capitals #records #thirdlowest #IPL #total

Deadspin | Red Sox beat O’s in first game since Alex Cora’s firing Apr 26, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) scores during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Willson Contreras hit a two-run home run and Connelly Early pitched into the seventh inning as the Boston Red Sox won in their first game after a surprising weekend managerial change, beating the host Baltimore Orioles 5-3 on Sunday afternoon. Chad Tracy was in the Boston dugout as interim manager after the firing of Alex Cora following the game a day earlier. The Red Sox won their second game in a row, improving to 11-17. Cora’s firing was announced hours after the Red Sox won 17-1 on Saturday. Several other members of the coaching staff also were dismissed. Ceddanne Rafaela recorded an RBI triple and a double for two of Boston’s seven hits as the Red Sox won consecutive games for the first time since April 15 and 17. They will seek their first three-game winning streak of the season when they play Monday night at the Toronto Blue Jays. Early (2-1) worked 6 2/3 innings, surrendering two runs on four hits with a season-low one walk. He struck out four. Aroldis Chapman, the third Boston reliever used, pitched the ninth for his fifth save. Gunnar Henderson and Samuel Basallo, who each had two hits, smacked solo home runs for the Orioles. Henderson added a second RBI on a single. Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish (1-3) gave up three runs on four hits in five innings. Boston scored first with a three-run fifth inning, with Andruw Monasterio’s single driving in the first run before Contreras’ two-run shot to left-center with two outs for his sixth long ball of the season. Basallo homered in the fifth before Rafaela tripled in a run in the sixth and then scored on Marcelo Mayer’s single. Orioles reliever Grant Wolfram was charged with both runs in the sixth inning without recording an out. Henderson knocked in the next two runs. He homered for the ninth time this year in the sixth and plated another run with a two-out single in the eighth. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Red #Sox #beat #game #Alex #Coras #firingApr 26, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) scores during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Willson Contreras hit a two-run home run and Connelly Early pitched into the seventh inning as the Boston Red Sox won in their first game after a surprising weekend managerial change, beating the host Baltimore Orioles 5-3 on Sunday afternoon.

Chad Tracy was in the Boston dugout as interim manager after the firing of Alex Cora following the game a day earlier. The Red Sox won their second game in a row, improving to 11-17.

Cora’s firing was announced hours after the Red Sox won 17-1 on Saturday. Several other members of the coaching staff also were dismissed.

Ceddanne Rafaela recorded an RBI triple and a double for two of Boston’s seven hits as the Red Sox won consecutive games for the first time since April 15 and 17. They will seek their first three-game winning streak of the season when they play Monday night at the Toronto Blue Jays.

Early (2-1) worked 6 2/3 innings, surrendering two runs on four hits with a season-low one walk. He struck out four.


Aroldis Chapman, the third Boston reliever used, pitched the ninth for his fifth save.

Gunnar Henderson and Samuel Basallo, who each had two hits, smacked solo home runs for the Orioles. Henderson added a second RBI on a single. Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish (1-3) gave up three runs on four hits in five innings.

Boston scored first with a three-run fifth inning, with Andruw Monasterio’s single driving in the first run before Contreras’ two-run shot to left-center with two outs for his sixth long ball of the season.

Basallo homered in the fifth before Rafaela tripled in a run in the sixth and then scored on Marcelo Mayer’s single.

Orioles reliever Grant Wolfram was charged with both runs in the sixth inning without recording an out.

Henderson knocked in the next two runs. He homered for the ninth time this year in the sixth and plated another run with a two-out single in the eighth.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Red #Sox #beat #game #Alex #Coras #firing">Deadspin | Red Sox beat O’s in first game since Alex Cora’s firing Apr 26, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) scores during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Willson Contreras hit a two-run home run and Connelly Early pitched into the seventh inning as the Boston Red Sox won in their first game after a surprising weekend managerial change, beating the host Baltimore Orioles 5-3 on Sunday afternoon. Chad Tracy was in the Boston dugout as interim manager after the firing of Alex Cora following the game a day earlier. The Red Sox won their second game in a row, improving to 11-17. Cora’s firing was announced hours after the Red Sox won 17-1 on Saturday. Several other members of the coaching staff also were dismissed. Ceddanne Rafaela recorded an RBI triple and a double for two of Boston’s seven hits as the Red Sox won consecutive games for the first time since April 15 and 17. They will seek their first three-game winning streak of the season when they play Monday night at the Toronto Blue Jays. Early (2-1) worked 6 2/3 innings, surrendering two runs on four hits with a season-low one walk. He struck out four. Aroldis Chapman, the third Boston reliever used, pitched the ninth for his fifth save. Gunnar Henderson and Samuel Basallo, who each had two hits, smacked solo home runs for the Orioles. Henderson added a second RBI on a single. Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish (1-3) gave up three runs on four hits in five innings. Boston scored first with a three-run fifth inning, with Andruw Monasterio’s single driving in the first run before Contreras’ two-run shot to left-center with two outs for his sixth long ball of the season. Basallo homered in the fifth before Rafaela tripled in a run in the sixth and then scored on Marcelo Mayer’s single. Orioles reliever Grant Wolfram was charged with both runs in the sixth inning without recording an out. Henderson knocked in the next two runs. He homered for the ninth time this year in the sixth and plated another run with a two-out single in the eighth. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Red #Sox #beat #game #Alex #Coras #firing

India suffered yet another batting meltdown in a modest 156-run chase as South Africa rode on skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s sublime unbeaten 92 to clinch a convincing 23-run win and seal the T20I series 4-1.

Wolvaardt, who notched up two fifties and a century earlier in the series, struck 11 fours and two sixes in her 56-ball knock, carrying her bat despite wickets falling around her.

Her late flourish—two sixes off the final two balls—lifted South Africa past the 150-mark after a middle-overs slowdown.

In reply, India was restricted to 132 for eight, with its experienced batters once again failing to deliver.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur laboured to 22 off 28 balls, while Shafali Verma (4), Jemimah Rodrigues (1) and Deepti Sharma (8) fell cheaply.

It was left to Bharti Fulmali to provide some fight with a counter-attacking 40 off 30 balls (4×4, 2×6), but India’s middle-overs stagnation, following a poor start, proved costly.

South Africa’s bowlers were disciplined throughout, with Nonkululeko Mlaba leading the charge with an impressive 2/15, including a maiden, and accounting for Harmanpreet. Nadine de Klerk also picked up two wickets.

It was a reality check for the WODI champion India ahead of the T20 World Cup as frequent changes in the XI and lack of consistency continued to hurt its campaign.

India got off to a poor start, losing Shafali and Rodrigues in quick succession to slump to 21 for two in four overs.

Shafali’s attempted sweep off Eliz-Mari Marx found Chloe Tryon at fine-leg, who held on to a sharp catch.

Rodrigues followed soon after, mistiming a pull off Ayabonga Khaka, with Tryon once again impressing with a well-judged running catch at deep square-leg.

With India in trouble early, Harmanpreet and opener Anushka Sharma attempted to rebuild cautiously.

However, with the required rate climbing, Anushka fell to a well-disguised slower ball from De Klerk, leaving India at 38 for three in 7.3 overs. Their 17-run stand consumed 24 balls, adding to the pressure.

Fulmali then injected some momentum with her aggressive strokeplay, even as Harmanpreet struggled to accelerate before being dismissed by Mlaba in the 13th over.

Needing 79 runs off the last seven overs, India’s task was steep. Fulmali kept its hopes alive briefly, but South Africa continued to chip away at regular intervals, and her dismissal in the 16th over effectively ended the contest.

Earlier, the Indian spin duo of Shree Charani (2/22) and Deepti Sharma (2/37) turned the game with timely breakthroughs while Renuka Singh (2/21) stepped up at the death.

Charani removed Sune Luus (23) and Tazmin Brits (2) in successive overs as South Africa slipped from 70 for no loss in eight overs to lose three wickets in the next four.

Renuka Singh then struck at the death, picking up two wickets in three balls as South Africa struggled to break free.

However, Wolvaardt held firm and finished with a flourish, taking on Deepti with back-to-back sixes in the final over.

Opting to bat, Wolvaardt was at her elegant best from the outset, taking charge in Kranti Goud’s opening over with two boundaries in an 11-run start.

She barely put a foot wrong, continuing her exquisite strokeplay against the new ball, including consecutive fours off Renuka—one powered through midwicket and another crisply driven through point, showcasing her range on both sides of the wicket.

India captain Harmanpreet introduced spin through Charani, but Wolvaardt maintained the momentum, stepping out for a boundary and following it up with a drive past mid-off.

South Africa ended the PowerPlay at 49 for no loss, with Wolvaardt in full control.

India finally broke through when Charani deceived Luus in flight, with Richa Ghosh completing a stumping after a brief fumble.

The run-rate dipped sharply thereafter, and Charani struck again in her next over, knocking over Brits with a fuller delivery.

Deepti then returned to dismiss Annerie Dercksen for a duck, as South Africa lost three wickets for just 14 runs between the ninth and 12th overs, derailing its innings before Wolvaardt’s late surge.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#INDW #5th #T20I #India #falters #chase #Wolvaardt #powers #South #Africa #series #win">SA-W vs IND-W 5th T20I: India falters in chase as Wolvaardt powers South Africa to 4-1 series win India suffered yet another batting meltdown in a modest 156-run chase as South Africa rode on skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s sublime unbeaten 92 to clinch a convincing 23-run win and seal the T20I series 4-1.Wolvaardt, who notched up two fifties and a century earlier in the series, struck 11 fours and two sixes in her 56-ball knock, carrying her bat despite wickets falling around her.Her late flourish—two sixes off the final two balls—lifted South Africa past the 150-mark after a middle-overs slowdown.In reply, India was restricted to 132 for eight, with its experienced batters once again failing to deliver.Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur laboured to 22 off 28 balls, while Shafali Verma (4), Jemimah Rodrigues (1) and Deepti Sharma (8) fell cheaply.It was left to Bharti Fulmali to provide some fight with a counter-attacking 40 off 30 balls (4×4, 2×6), but India’s middle-overs stagnation, following a poor start, proved costly.South Africa’s bowlers were disciplined throughout, with Nonkululeko Mlaba leading the charge with an impressive 2/15, including a maiden, and accounting for Harmanpreet. Nadine de Klerk also picked up two wickets.It was a reality check for the WODI champion India ahead of the T20 World Cup as frequent changes in the XI and lack of consistency continued to hurt its campaign.India got off to a poor start, losing Shafali and Rodrigues in quick succession to slump to 21 for two in four overs.Shafali’s attempted sweep off Eliz-Mari Marx found Chloe Tryon at fine-leg, who held on to a sharp catch.Rodrigues followed soon after, mistiming a pull off Ayabonga Khaka, with Tryon once again impressing with a well-judged running catch at deep square-leg.With India in trouble early, Harmanpreet and opener Anushka Sharma attempted to rebuild cautiously.However, with the required rate climbing, Anushka fell to a well-disguised slower ball from De Klerk, leaving India at 38 for three in 7.3 overs. Their 17-run stand consumed 24 balls, adding to the pressure.Fulmali then injected some momentum with her aggressive strokeplay, even as Harmanpreet struggled to accelerate before being dismissed by Mlaba in the 13th over.Needing 79 runs off the last seven overs, India’s task was steep. Fulmali kept its hopes alive briefly, but South Africa continued to chip away at regular intervals, and her dismissal in the 16th over effectively ended the contest.Earlier, the Indian spin duo of Shree Charani (2/22) and Deepti Sharma (2/37) turned the game with timely breakthroughs while Renuka Singh (2/21) stepped up at the death.Charani removed Sune Luus (23) and Tazmin Brits (2) in successive overs as South Africa slipped from 70 for no loss in eight overs to lose three wickets in the next four.Renuka Singh then struck at the death, picking up two wickets in three balls as South Africa struggled to break free.However, Wolvaardt held firm and finished with a flourish, taking on Deepti with back-to-back sixes in the final over.Opting to bat, Wolvaardt was at her elegant best from the outset, taking charge in Kranti Goud’s opening over with two boundaries in an 11-run start.She barely put a foot wrong, continuing her exquisite strokeplay against the new ball, including consecutive fours off Renuka—one powered through midwicket and another crisply driven through point, showcasing her range on both sides of the wicket.India captain Harmanpreet introduced spin through Charani, but Wolvaardt maintained the momentum, stepping out for a boundary and following it up with a drive past mid-off.South Africa ended the PowerPlay at 49 for no loss, with Wolvaardt in full control.India finally broke through when Charani deceived Luus in flight, with Richa Ghosh completing a stumping after a brief fumble.The run-rate dipped sharply thereafter, and Charani struck again in her next over, knocking over Brits with a fuller delivery.Deepti then returned to dismiss Annerie Dercksen for a duck, as South Africa lost three wickets for just 14 runs between the ninth and 12th overs, derailing its innings before Wolvaardt’s late surge.Published on Apr 27, 2026 #INDW #5th #T20I #India #falters #chase #Wolvaardt #powers #South #Africa #series #win

Post Comment