Deadspin | Despite 2-1 series deficit, Golden Knights not panicking vs. Mammoth Apr 24, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Rasmus Andersson (4) skates with the puck against Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images After an unlikely Game 3 victory, the Utah Mammoth will try to secure their third straight win over the visiting Vegas Golden Knights on Monday in Salt Lake City during Game 4 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series. Vegas secured a 4-2 home win in Game 1, but the Mammoth erased the Knights’ home-ice advantage by winning Game 2. Utah then took command of the series with a 4-2 victory Friday in the first-ever NHL playoff game in Salt Lake City. The Mammoth won Game 3 despite being outshot by a 32-12 margin. Utah became the eighth team since 1974 to win a playoff game with 12 or fewer shots, while the Golden Knights lost despite allowing the second-lowest shots total in any game (regular season or playoffs) in Vegas franchise history. Sunday’s practice saw the Knights deploy some new line combinations and new power-play units. Vegas has gone 2-for-9 on the power play in the series and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill, though coach John Tortortella felt “we lost the special teams battle in the first three games.” While the lineup may have some new looks in Game 4, Tortortella said neither his coaching staff or his veteran players have any panic. “We’ve made some adjustments, as you do in (the) playoffs. Not crazy stuff, but when you get down in a series and you lose a couple in a row, it’s belief,” Tortortella said. “It’s believing in what we’re doing, belief in how we’re preparing. This is mental. This is where I feel very comfortable with this team. … We can draw as much stuff as we can on the board x’s and o’s-wise, this is belief. I think we have that in that room.” Utah defenseman MacKenzie Weegar said his team also has a few new tricks in mind for Game 4. “We expect a really good response from a really good opponent over there, so we’re going to need to be focused and prepared,” he said. As efficient as the Mammoth were with their shots in Game 3, Weegar knows that level of production won’t normally win games. “We’re definitely going to make some corrections for the next game, which will I think build a little bit more speed and we’ll get a little more offense going.” Twelve different Mammoth players have at least one point in the series, and five players share the team lead with three points apiece. Weegar, Dylan Guenther, Lawson Crouse, and Logan Cooley each have two goals and an assist, and Kailer Yamamoto has three assists. Playing in his first career playoff games, Karel Vejmelka has risen to the occasion with a 2.36 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in the series. The numbers are a step beyond Vejmelka’s solid 2.75 GAA and .897 save percentage in the regular season. Mark Stone, Ivan Barbashev (each with two goals and one assist) and Jack Eichel (one goal, two assists) all have three points in the series, sharing the Vegas team lead. Though Carter Hart allowed four goals on 12 shots in Game 3, he’ll be back in the Vegas net on Monday. Hart went 7-1-0 with a .932 save percentage over his last eight starts spanning the end of the regular season and first two postseason games. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #series #deficit #Golden #Knights #panicking #Mammoth

Deadspin | Despite 2-1 series deficit, Golden Knights not panicking vs. Mammoth
Apr 24, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Rasmus Andersson (4) skates with the puck against Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

After an unlikely Game 3 victory, the Utah Mammoth will try to secure their third straight win over the visiting Vegas Golden Knights on Monday in Salt Lake City during Game 4 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

Vegas secured a 4-2 home win in Game 1, but the Mammoth erased the Knights’ home-ice advantage by winning Game 2. Utah then took command of the series with a 4-2 victory Friday in the first-ever NHL playoff game in Salt Lake City.

The Mammoth won Game 3 despite being outshot by a 32-12 margin. Utah became the eighth team since 1974 to win a playoff game with 12 or fewer shots, while the Golden Knights lost despite allowing the second-lowest shots total in any game (regular season or playoffs) in Vegas franchise history.

Sunday’s practice saw the Knights deploy some new line combinations and new power-play units. Vegas has gone 2-for-9 on the power play in the series and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill, though coach John Tortortella felt “we lost the special teams battle in the first three games.”

While the lineup may have some new looks in Game 4, Tortortella said neither his coaching staff or his veteran players have any panic.

“We’ve made some adjustments, as you do in (the) playoffs. Not crazy stuff, but when you get down in a series and you lose a couple in a row, it’s belief,” Tortortella said. “It’s believing in what we’re doing, belief in how we’re preparing. This is mental. This is where I feel very comfortable with this team. … We can draw as much stuff as we can on the board x’s and o’s-wise, this is belief. I think we have that in that room.”

Utah defenseman MacKenzie Weegar said his team also has a few new tricks in mind for Game 4.

“We expect a really good response from a really good opponent over there, so we’re going to need to be focused and prepared,” he said.

As efficient as the Mammoth were with their shots in Game 3, Weegar knows that level of production won’t normally win games.

“We’re definitely going to make some corrections for the next game, which will I think build a little bit more speed and we’ll get a little more offense going.”

Twelve different Mammoth players have at least one point in the series, and five players share the team lead with three points apiece. Weegar, Dylan Guenther, Lawson Crouse, and Logan Cooley each have two goals and an assist, and Kailer Yamamoto has three assists.

Playing in his first career playoff games, Karel Vejmelka has risen to the occasion with a 2.36 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in the series. The numbers are a step beyond Vejmelka’s solid 2.75 GAA and .897 save percentage in the regular season.

Mark Stone, Ivan Barbashev (each with two goals and one assist) and Jack Eichel (one goal, two assists) all have three points in the series, sharing the Vegas team lead.

Though Carter Hart allowed four goals on 12 shots in Game 3, he’ll be back in the Vegas net on Monday. Hart went 7-1-0 with a .932 save percentage over his last eight starts spanning the end of the regular season and first two postseason games.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #series #deficit #Golden #Knights #panicking #Mammoth

Sports news April 27, 2026

Apr 24, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Rasmus Andersson (4) skates with the puck against Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

After an unlikely Game 3 victory, the Utah Mammoth will try to secure their third straight win over the visiting Vegas Golden Knights on Monday in Salt Lake City during Game 4 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

Vegas secured a 4-2 home win in Game 1, but the Mammoth erased the Knights’ home-ice advantage by winning Game 2. Utah then took command of the series with a 4-2 victory Friday in the first-ever NHL playoff game in Salt Lake City.

The Mammoth won Game 3 despite being outshot by a 32-12 margin. Utah became the eighth team since 1974 to win a playoff game with 12 or fewer shots, while the Golden Knights lost despite allowing the second-lowest shots total in any game (regular season or playoffs) in Vegas franchise history.

Sunday’s practice saw the Knights deploy some new line combinations and new power-play units. Vegas has gone 2-for-9 on the power play in the series and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill, though coach John Tortortella felt “we lost the special teams battle in the first three games.”

While the lineup may have some new looks in Game 4, Tortortella said neither his coaching staff or his veteran players have any panic.

“We’ve made some adjustments, as you do in (the) playoffs. Not crazy stuff, but when you get down in a series and you lose a couple in a row, it’s belief,” Tortortella said. “It’s believing in what we’re doing, belief in how we’re preparing. This is mental. This is where I feel very comfortable with this team. … We can draw as much stuff as we can on the board x’s and o’s-wise, this is belief. I think we have that in that room.”

Utah defenseman MacKenzie Weegar said his team also has a few new tricks in mind for Game 4.

“We expect a really good response from a really good opponent over there, so we’re going to need to be focused and prepared,” he said.

As efficient as the Mammoth were with their shots in Game 3, Weegar knows that level of production won’t normally win games.

“We’re definitely going to make some corrections for the next game, which will I think build a little bit more speed and we’ll get a little more offense going.”

Twelve different Mammoth players have at least one point in the series, and five players share the team lead with three points apiece. Weegar, Dylan Guenther, Lawson Crouse, and Logan Cooley each have two goals and an assist, and Kailer Yamamoto has three assists.

Playing in his first career playoff games, Karel Vejmelka has risen to the occasion with a 2.36 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in the series. The numbers are a step beyond Vejmelka’s solid 2.75 GAA and .897 save percentage in the regular season.

Mark Stone, Ivan Barbashev (each with two goals and one assist) and Jack Eichel (one goal, two assists) all have three points in the series, sharing the Vegas team lead.

Though Carter Hart allowed four goals on 12 shots in Game 3, he’ll be back in the Vegas net on Monday. Hart went 7-1-0 with a .932 save percentage over his last eight starts spanning the end of the regular season and first two postseason games.

–Field Level Media

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कांग्रेस छोड़कर भाजपा में शामिल हुए अक्षय बम को सुप्रीम कोर्ट से राहत, हत्या के प्रयास की धारा हटाई

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

#Deadspin #Red #Sox #beat #game #Alex #Coras #firing">

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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">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

mwasimuddin125 0

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