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Deadspin | Stewart Cink, Alex Cejka lead Regions Tradition, 2nd senior major  Stewart Cink tees of on 10 during the Galleri Classic Pro-Am at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Thursday, March 27, 2025.   Stewart Cink birdied his final hole to tie Germany’s Alex Cejka for the lead after one round of the Regions Tradition on Thursday in Birmingham, Ala.  Cink won the first major of the PGA Tour Champions season, the Senior PGA Championship, two weeks ago. Now he’s in prime position to contend for the second.  He and Cejka shot 7-under-par 65. They hold a one-shot advantage over South Korea’s Charlie Wi, Australia’s Scott Hend and New Zealand’s Steven Alker.  “I was excited at how boring today was. Does that make sense?” Cink said. “It wasn’t like the kind of day where you’re chipping in and holing putts, dramatic stuff happening everywhere.”  Cink, 52, did get off to a quick start by birdieing the first three holes of Greystone Golf & Country Club. After picking up his only bogey at the par-5 fifth, he bounced back with birdies at Nos. 8, 10, 11 and 13 before two-putting for birdie at the par-5 18th.  “It’s a systematic way to approach the golf course. I love this style of golf,” he said. “This is one of my favorite things about the puzzle of golf is doing these systematic approaches and sticking to it and letting the results just sort of happen. We’re staying in the process so much that the results are almost like sneaking up on us.”   Cejka set the clubhouse lead earlier in the day with a bogey-free, seven-birdie round. He played his first nine, the back nine, in 5-under 31.  “There’s certain courses, they fit the players’ eyes,” said Cejka, who won the Regions Tradition in 2021. “I’ve been playing here well in the past and today I played solid. I didn’t really make stupid mistakes. I putted well when I had birdie chances. And when you see the leaderboard, the guys are going low so you’ve got to — if you have a birdie chance, you’ve got to take advantage.”  Wi, Hend and Alker combined for 18 birdies and zero bogeys across their cards.  Tied for sixth at 5-under 67 are Dicky Pride, Irishman Padraig Harrington, Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee. Another shot back at 4-under 68: Retief Goosen of South Africa (last week’s winner at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic), Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen, South Korea’s Y.E. Yang, Harrison Frazar and Canada’s Stephen Ames.  Defending champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina opened with an even-par 72.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Stewart #Cink #Alex #Cejka #lead #Regions #Tradition #2nd #senior #major

Deadspin | Stewart Cink, Alex Cejka lead Regions Tradition, 2nd senior major
Deadspin | Stewart Cink, Alex Cejka lead Regions Tradition, 2nd senior major  Stewart Cink tees of on 10 during the Galleri Classic Pro-Am at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Thursday, March 27, 2025.   Stewart Cink birdied his final hole to tie Germany’s Alex Cejka for the lead after one round of the Regions Tradition on Thursday in Birmingham, Ala.  Cink won the first major of the PGA Tour Champions season, the Senior PGA Championship, two weeks ago. Now he’s in prime position to contend for the second.  He and Cejka shot 7-under-par 65. They hold a one-shot advantage over South Korea’s Charlie Wi, Australia’s Scott Hend and New Zealand’s Steven Alker.  “I was excited at how boring today was. Does that make sense?” Cink said. “It wasn’t like the kind of day where you’re chipping in and holing putts, dramatic stuff happening everywhere.”  Cink, 52, did get off to a quick start by birdieing the first three holes of Greystone Golf & Country Club. After picking up his only bogey at the par-5 fifth, he bounced back with birdies at Nos. 8, 10, 11 and 13 before two-putting for birdie at the par-5 18th.  “It’s a systematic way to approach the golf course. I love this style of golf,” he said. “This is one of my favorite things about the puzzle of golf is doing these systematic approaches and sticking to it and letting the results just sort of happen. We’re staying in the process so much that the results are almost like sneaking up on us.”   Cejka set the clubhouse lead earlier in the day with a bogey-free, seven-birdie round. He played his first nine, the back nine, in 5-under 31.  “There’s certain courses, they fit the players’ eyes,” said Cejka, who won the Regions Tradition in 2021. “I’ve been playing here well in the past and today I played solid. I didn’t really make stupid mistakes. I putted well when I had birdie chances. And when you see the leaderboard, the guys are going low so you’ve got to — if you have a birdie chance, you’ve got to take advantage.”  Wi, Hend and Alker combined for 18 birdies and zero bogeys across their cards.  Tied for sixth at 5-under 67 are Dicky Pride, Irishman Padraig Harrington, Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee. Another shot back at 4-under 68: Retief Goosen of South Africa (last week’s winner at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic), Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen, South Korea’s Y.E. Yang, Harrison Frazar and Canada’s Stephen Ames.  Defending champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina opened with an even-par 72.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Stewart #Cink #Alex #Cejka #lead #Regions #Tradition #2nd #senior #majorStewart Cink tees of on 10 during the Galleri Classic Pro-Am at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Stewart Cink birdied his final hole to tie Germany’s Alex Cejka for the lead after one round of the Regions Tradition on Thursday in Birmingham, Ala.

Cink won the first major of the PGA Tour Champions season, the Senior PGA Championship, two weeks ago. Now he’s in prime position to contend for the second.

He and Cejka shot 7-under-par 65. They hold a one-shot advantage over South Korea’s Charlie Wi, Australia’s Scott Hend and New Zealand’s Steven Alker.

“I was excited at how boring today was. Does that make sense?” Cink said. “It wasn’t like the kind of day where you’re chipping in and holing putts, dramatic stuff happening everywhere.”

Cink, 52, did get off to a quick start by birdieing the first three holes of Greystone Golf & Country Club. After picking up his only bogey at the par-5 fifth, he bounced back with birdies at Nos. 8, 10, 11 and 13 before two-putting for birdie at the par-5 18th.


“It’s a systematic way to approach the golf course. I love this style of golf,” he said. “This is one of my favorite things about the puzzle of golf is doing these systematic approaches and sticking to it and letting the results just sort of happen. We’re staying in the process so much that the results are almost like sneaking up on us.”

Cejka set the clubhouse lead earlier in the day with a bogey-free, seven-birdie round. He played his first nine, the back nine, in 5-under 31.

“There’s certain courses, they fit the players’ eyes,” said Cejka, who won the Regions Tradition in 2021. “I’ve been playing here well in the past and today I played solid. I didn’t really make stupid mistakes. I putted well when I had birdie chances. And when you see the leaderboard, the guys are going low so you’ve got to — if you have a birdie chance, you’ve got to take advantage.”

Wi, Hend and Alker combined for 18 birdies and zero bogeys across their cards.

Tied for sixth at 5-under 67 are Dicky Pride, Irishman Padraig Harrington, Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee. Another shot back at 4-under 68: Retief Goosen of South Africa (last week’s winner at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic), Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen, South Korea’s Y.E. Yang, Harrison Frazar and Canada’s Stephen Ames.

Defending champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina opened with an even-par 72.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Stewart #Cink #Alex #Cejka #lead #Regions #Tradition #2nd #senior #major

Stewart Cink tees of on 10 during the Galleri Classic Pro-Am at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Stewart Cink birdied his final hole to tie Germany’s Alex Cejka for the lead after one round of the Regions Tradition on Thursday in Birmingham, Ala.

Cink won the first major of the PGA Tour Champions season, the Senior PGA Championship, two weeks ago. Now he’s in prime position to contend for the second.

He and Cejka shot 7-under-par 65. They hold a one-shot advantage over South Korea’s Charlie Wi, Australia’s Scott Hend and New Zealand’s Steven Alker.

“I was excited at how boring today was. Does that make sense?” Cink said. “It wasn’t like the kind of day where you’re chipping in and holing putts, dramatic stuff happening everywhere.”

Cink, 52, did get off to a quick start by birdieing the first three holes of Greystone Golf & Country Club. After picking up his only bogey at the par-5 fifth, he bounced back with birdies at Nos. 8, 10, 11 and 13 before two-putting for birdie at the par-5 18th.

“It’s a systematic way to approach the golf course. I love this style of golf,” he said. “This is one of my favorite things about the puzzle of golf is doing these systematic approaches and sticking to it and letting the results just sort of happen. We’re staying in the process so much that the results are almost like sneaking up on us.”

Cejka set the clubhouse lead earlier in the day with a bogey-free, seven-birdie round. He played his first nine, the back nine, in 5-under 31.

“There’s certain courses, they fit the players’ eyes,” said Cejka, who won the Regions Tradition in 2021. “I’ve been playing here well in the past and today I played solid. I didn’t really make stupid mistakes. I putted well when I had birdie chances. And when you see the leaderboard, the guys are going low so you’ve got to — if you have a birdie chance, you’ve got to take advantage.”

Wi, Hend and Alker combined for 18 birdies and zero bogeys across their cards.

Tied for sixth at 5-under 67 are Dicky Pride, Irishman Padraig Harrington, Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee. Another shot back at 4-under 68: Retief Goosen of South Africa (last week’s winner at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic), Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen, South Korea’s Y.E. Yang, Harrison Frazar and Canada’s Stephen Ames.

Defending champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina opened with an even-par 72.

–Field Level Media

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Premier League 2025-26: Saudi owners’ desire for success at Newcastle remains unchanged, says Howe <div id="content-body-70928316" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Manager Eddie Howe said on Friday that Newcastle United’s Saudi Arabian owners remained as committed as ever to the club’s ​success, even as their Public Investment Fund prepares to cut ties with ‌the LIV Golf series.</p><p>PIF, which spent more than $5 billion on ​LIV Golf since it launched in 2022, said on ⁠Thursday that it would cut funding at the close of the 2026 season, leaving the breakaway circuit scrambling for new backers.</p><p>The sovereign wealth fund, chaired ‌by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is involved in several other sports and acquired Newcastle in October 2021.</p><p>Asked ‌about meeting with PIF this week, Howe told reporters: “The owners ‌and ⁠representatives of PIF were over and it was constructive, good ⁠meetings and I was a small part of that.</p><p>“It’s always constructive because they clearly care so much about the football club,” the English manager added, speaking ahead ​of a home meeting with ‌Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.</p><p>“The long-term planning that is clearly going on, on a number of levels, it’s exciting times ahead for the club, regardless of what happens short term…</p><p>“The desire is unchanged, ‌to try and get to the top of the Premier ​League, to try and win as many trophies consistently as possible. I don’t think while PIF are our ⁠owners, or part owners, majority owners, that will change.”</p><p>In its statement announcing it was cutting funding to LIV Golf, PIF added that it remained ‌committed to deploying capital internationally in line with its investment strategy, “including current and future investments in various sports as a priority sector.”</p><p>Newcastle enjoyed some success in its first few seasons under Saudi ownership, twice qualifying for the UEFA Champions League and winning the League Cup last year.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/mohamed-salah-farewell-liverpool-manager-arne-slot-premier-league/article70928084.ece#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Salah ‘deserves big send-off’, says Liverpool boss Slot</a></b></p><p>However, it has struggled this season and sits 14th in the ‌Premier League standings after four straight defeats, leading to questions over Howe’s future ​at the club.</p><p>“I’ve never needed clarity in my head, in the sense that I’m here, I’m working and I’m ⁠committed,” he said.</p><p>“A football club has to do what a football club ⁠has to do. The football club needs to see we are going in the right direction and there’s a positive ‌feeling and fighting on all fronts.</p><p>“You can talk as much as you want but the proof is in how the team ​performs. I’m under no illusions that that needs to be positive.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on May 01, 2026</p></div> #Premier #League #Saudi #owners #desire #success #Newcastle #remains #unchanged #Howe

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इंदौर में जनगणना में देवी अहिल्या विश्वविद्यालय में पदस्थ 80 फीसद स्टाफ की लगाई ड्यूटी

Stein reports that the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are the two teams pushing the hardest for Antetokounmpo behind the scenes. Stein also mentioned the Orlando Magic as a potential fit after the team hired Sean Sweeney as head coach last week. Sweeney comes over from the San Antonio Spurs, but also spent time in Milwaukee, where he grew extremely close with Giannis.

The Heat and Trail Blazers both always made sense as teams that could want to swing a bold trade for Antetokounmpo. Miami has been tied to the Greek Freak for years as a preferred destination. The Heat always chase stars under Pat Riley, and at 81 years old it makes sense that he would want to try for one more big fish. The Heat can offer a package including Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft, a 2030 first-rounder, and a 2032 first-rounder.

The Blazers are natural trade partners for Giannis because they own first-round swap rights with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030 from Milwaukee’s failed trade for Damian Lillard. It’s fair to wonder if those picks are more valuable or less valuable under the NBA’s new lottery reform, and it’s worth noting that we could have a completely different system by 2030. Portland’s package could start with returning the pick swaps, adding Jerami Grant for matching salary, then sending a talented young player like Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe in the deal. Since Grant is widely considered a bad contract at this point with two years, $70.6 remaining on his deal, the Blazers also might need to add their unprotected 2032 first-round pick.

Will the Thunder get involved for Giannis after their Western Conference Finals flameout? Probably not. Sam Presti usually takes the longview, and his team wasn’t at full strength this year without injured stars Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for most of the series. The Thunder need to cut money for next season, not add an older player on a max contract.

I wouldn’t be shocked if this ends with Antetokounmpo accepting a max extension to end the trade speculation once and for all. It just feels more likely that he finally gets traded given how far away the Bucks are from contention.

Stein reports that an Antetokounmpo trade could happen within the next three weeks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst once termed that “the deal zone.” It sure seems like the deal zone for a Giannis trade has fully arrived. Stay tuned.

#Giannis #Antetokounmpos #biggest #trade #suitors #revealed #deal #zone #nearing">Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2 biggest trade suitors revealed with deal zone nearing  Giannis Antetokounmpo is maybe, possibly, conceivably getting traded from the Milwaukee Bucks this summer. Bucks ownership has indicated that it will trade the 31-year-old superstar before entering the final year of his contract if he does not sign an extension this summer. There are a number of potential landing spots for Antetokounmpo, but two teams are emerging as the most aggressive suitors according to long-time NBA insider Marc Stein.Stein reports that the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are the two teams pushing the hardest for Antetokounmpo behind the scenes. Stein also mentioned the Orlando Magic as a potential fit after the team hired Sean Sweeney as head coach last week. Sweeney comes over from the San Antonio Spurs, but also spent time in Milwaukee, where he grew extremely close with Giannis.The Heat and Trail Blazers both always made sense as teams that could want to swing a bold trade for Antetokounmpo. Miami has been tied to the Greek Freak for years as a preferred destination. The Heat always chase stars under Pat Riley, and at 81 years old it makes sense that he would want to try for one more big fish. The Heat can offer a package including Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft, a 2030 first-rounder, and a 2032 first-rounder.The Blazers are natural trade partners for Giannis because they own first-round swap rights with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030 from Milwaukee’s failed trade for Damian Lillard. It’s fair to wonder if those picks are more valuable or less valuable under the NBA’s new lottery reform, and it’s worth noting that we could have a completely different system by 2030. Portland’s package could start with returning the pick swaps, adding Jerami Grant for matching salary, then sending a talented young player like Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe in the deal. Since Grant is widely considered a bad contract at this point with two years, .6 remaining on his deal, the Blazers also might need to add their unprotected 2032 first-round pick.Will the Thunder get involved for Giannis after their Western Conference Finals flameout? Probably not. Sam Presti usually takes the longview, and his team wasn’t at full strength this year without injured stars Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for most of the series. The Thunder need to cut money for next season, not add an older player on a max contract.I wouldn’t be shocked if this ends with Antetokounmpo accepting a max extension to end the trade speculation once and for all. It just feels more likely that he finally gets traded given how far away the Bucks are from contention.Stein reports that an Antetokounmpo trade could happen within the next three weeks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst once termed that “the deal zone.” It sure seems like the deal zone for a Giannis trade has fully arrived. Stay tuned.  #Giannis #Antetokounmpos #biggest #trade #suitors #revealed #deal #zone #nearing

There are a number of potential landing spots for Antetokounmpo, but two teams are emerging as the most aggressive suitors according to long-time NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein reports that the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are the two teams pushing the hardest for Antetokounmpo behind the scenes. Stein also mentioned the Orlando Magic as a potential fit after the team hired Sean Sweeney as head coach last week. Sweeney comes over from the San Antonio Spurs, but also spent time in Milwaukee, where he grew extremely close with Giannis.

The Heat and Trail Blazers both always made sense as teams that could want to swing a bold trade for Antetokounmpo. Miami has been tied to the Greek Freak for years as a preferred destination. The Heat always chase stars under Pat Riley, and at 81 years old it makes sense that he would want to try for one more big fish. The Heat can offer a package including Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft, a 2030 first-rounder, and a 2032 first-rounder.

The Blazers are natural trade partners for Giannis because they own first-round swap rights with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030 from Milwaukee’s failed trade for Damian Lillard. It’s fair to wonder if those picks are more valuable or less valuable under the NBA’s new lottery reform, and it’s worth noting that we could have a completely different system by 2030. Portland’s package could start with returning the pick swaps, adding Jerami Grant for matching salary, then sending a talented young player like Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe in the deal. Since Grant is widely considered a bad contract at this point with two years, $70.6 remaining on his deal, the Blazers also might need to add their unprotected 2032 first-round pick.

Will the Thunder get involved for Giannis after their Western Conference Finals flameout? Probably not. Sam Presti usually takes the longview, and his team wasn’t at full strength this year without injured stars Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for most of the series. The Thunder need to cut money for next season, not add an older player on a max contract.

I wouldn’t be shocked if this ends with Antetokounmpo accepting a max extension to end the trade speculation once and for all. It just feels more likely that he finally gets traded given how far away the Bucks are from contention.

Stein reports that an Antetokounmpo trade could happen within the next three weeks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst once termed that “the deal zone.” It sure seems like the deal zone for a Giannis trade has fully arrived. Stay tuned.

#Giannis #Antetokounmpos #biggest #trade #suitors #revealed #deal #zone #nearing">Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2 biggest trade suitors revealed with deal zone nearing

Giannis Antetokounmpo is maybe, possibly, conceivably getting traded from the Milwaukee Bucks this summer. Bucks ownership has indicated that it will trade the 31-year-old superstar before entering the final year of his contract if he does not sign an extension this summer. There are a number of potential landing spots for Antetokounmpo, but two teams are emerging as the most aggressive suitors according to long-time NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein reports that the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are the two teams pushing the hardest for Antetokounmpo behind the scenes. Stein also mentioned the Orlando Magic as a potential fit after the team hired Sean Sweeney as head coach last week. Sweeney comes over from the San Antonio Spurs, but also spent time in Milwaukee, where he grew extremely close with Giannis.

The Heat and Trail Blazers both always made sense as teams that could want to swing a bold trade for Antetokounmpo. Miami has been tied to the Greek Freak for years as a preferred destination. The Heat always chase stars under Pat Riley, and at 81 years old it makes sense that he would want to try for one more big fish. The Heat can offer a package including Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft, a 2030 first-rounder, and a 2032 first-rounder.

The Blazers are natural trade partners for Giannis because they own first-round swap rights with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030 from Milwaukee’s failed trade for Damian Lillard. It’s fair to wonder if those picks are more valuable or less valuable under the NBA’s new lottery reform, and it’s worth noting that we could have a completely different system by 2030. Portland’s package could start with returning the pick swaps, adding Jerami Grant for matching salary, then sending a talented young player like Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe in the deal. Since Grant is widely considered a bad contract at this point with two years, $70.6 remaining on his deal, the Blazers also might need to add their unprotected 2032 first-round pick.

Will the Thunder get involved for Giannis after their Western Conference Finals flameout? Probably not. Sam Presti usually takes the longview, and his team wasn’t at full strength this year without injured stars Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for most of the series. The Thunder need to cut money for next season, not add an older player on a max contract.

I wouldn’t be shocked if this ends with Antetokounmpo accepting a max extension to end the trade speculation once and for all. It just feels more likely that he finally gets traded given how far away the Bucks are from contention.

Stein reports that an Antetokounmpo trade could happen within the next three weeks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst once termed that “the deal zone.” It sure seems like the deal zone for a Giannis trade has fully arrived. Stay tuned.

#Giannis #Antetokounmpos #biggest #trade #suitors #revealed #deal #zone #nearing

India will need bigger contributions from its leadership duo of Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana and its middle order as it seeks to clinch the three-match T20I in the deciding fixture at Taunton on Tuesday.

The series stands locked at 1-1, with each fixture exposing different issues with the Indian batting order. In the first T20I, openers Smriti and Shafali Verma were dismissed in the very first over. But Jemimah Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia, who is back in the T20I setup after a recurring injury issues, did well to stabilise the Indian innings and help post a competitive score.

In the second fixure, however, India squandered a positive start with Harmanpreet and Yastika struggling to break free from a mid innings rut.

Harmanpreet, who did not feature in the opening game, returned to her usual no.4 slot in the 2nd T20I, which meant Yastika was brought up to No.3 in place of Jemimah who was pushed to no.5. The disruption didn’t work as Jemimah, slotted into a finishing role, strayed from her natural game and holed out trying to send the ball to the fence.

With the series locked at 1-1, a victory in the decider will not just be another overseas bilateral win but a shot in the arm for either team before the start of the Women’s T20 World Cup later this month.

India was ahead of England in the chase at the end of the PowerPlay (49/1 against England’s 35/1) with the required rate of 8.57. That soon climbed to 9.10 at the halfway mark and to 12.00 by the 14th, prompting India to retire out a struggling Yastika who never really got going. Harmanpreet’s own scoring rate — she has a tendency to take time to settle before exploding — wasn’t great as the pair piled on the dots.

One would have thought Richa Ghosh might be the candidate to send in place of Yastika to infuse some urgency into the chase. But it was Jemimah who was sent ahead of her. Richa was dismissed for another single digit score a few deliveries later.

Harmanpreet’s return and Yastika’s retention meant Bharti Fulmali had to warm the bench, but given India’s finishing troubles, the side might want to keep her in the mix. That said, all of this only points to a highly unsettled batting order, worrying signs with a World Cup around the corner.

For England, too, batting has been a concern, as Amy Jones’ 67 is the only half-century across two games while most of the other seasoned batters got starts but couldn’t carry on with the momentum for sustained periods of time.

Published on Jun 01, 2026

#INDW #ENGW #3rd #T20I #eyes #Smriti #Mandhana #middle #order #ahead #decider #Taunton">IND-W vs ENG-W 3rd T20I: All eyes on Smriti Mandhana, middle order ahead of decider in Taunton  India will need bigger contributions from its leadership duo of Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana and its middle order as it seeks to clinch the three-match T20I in the deciding fixture at Taunton on Tuesday.The series stands locked at 1-1, with each fixture exposing different issues with the Indian batting order. In the first T20I, openers Smriti and Shafali Verma were dismissed in the very first over. But Jemimah Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia, who is back in the T20I setup after a recurring injury issues, did well to stabilise the Indian innings and help post a competitive score.In the second fixure, however, India squandered a positive start with Harmanpreet and Yastika struggling to break free from a mid innings rut.Harmanpreet, who did not feature in the opening game, returned to her usual no.4 slot in the 2nd T20I, which meant Yastika was brought up to No.3 in place of Jemimah who was pushed to no.5. The disruption didn’t work as Jemimah, slotted into a finishing role, strayed from her natural game and holed out trying to send the ball to the fence.With the series locked at 1-1, a victory in the decider will not just be another overseas bilateral win but a shot in the arm for either team before the start of the Women’s T20 World Cup later this month.India was ahead of England in the chase at the end of the PowerPlay (49/1 against England’s 35/1) with the required rate of 8.57. That soon climbed to 9.10 at the halfway mark and to 12.00 by the 14th, prompting India to retire out a struggling Yastika who never really got going. Harmanpreet’s own scoring rate — she has a tendency to take time to settle before exploding — wasn’t great as the pair piled on the dots.One would have thought Richa Ghosh might be the candidate to send in place of Yastika to infuse some urgency into the chase. But it was Jemimah who was sent ahead of her. Richa was dismissed for another single digit score a few deliveries later.Harmanpreet’s return and Yastika’s retention meant Bharti Fulmali had to warm the bench, but given India’s finishing troubles, the side might want to keep her in the mix. That said, all of this only points to a highly unsettled batting order, worrying signs with a World Cup around the corner.For England, too, batting has been a concern, as Amy Jones’ 67 is the only half-century across two games while most of the other seasoned batters got starts but couldn’t carry on with the momentum for sustained periods of time.Published on Jun 01, 2026  #INDW #ENGW #3rd #T20I #eyes #Smriti #Mandhana #middle #order #ahead #decider #Taunton

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