ICC U 19 Women’s T20 World Cup: India crush South Africa to clinch second successive title
In a dominant display of skill and teamwork, India secured their second consecutive U19 Women’s T20 World Cup title with a resounding nine-wicket victory over South Africa at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur. Gongadi Trisha delivered an exceptional all-round performance, scoring an unbeaten 44 runs to guide India to their target of 83 in just 11.2 overs.
With this win, the Indian U19 women’s team successfully defended the title they won two years ago under the captaincy of Shafali Verma. As the final moment unfolded, the team gathered near the square leg boundary, bursting into jubilant celebrations and rushing onto the field. Draped in the Indian flag, the young cricketers embraced their well-deserved triumph.
India’s chase started with an aggressive approach, as Trisha smashed three boundaries in the first over and added three more in the fourth. Though Reyneke managed to dismiss Kamalini, the momentum remained firmly in India’s favor. Trisha found an able partner in Chalke, who contributed with stylish shots, including a graceful cover drive.
By the end of the powerplay, India had already crossed half the target. Trisha, who dropped on 38 in the 10th over, continued to steer the innings. With only 15 runs required, Chalke sealed the win with a boundary in the 12th over. Trisha’s stellar performance throughout the tournament earned her both the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament honors, as she finished as the leading run-scorer with 309 runs.
Earlier in the match, India’s spinners delivered a clinical performance, sharing nine wickets among themselves to dismantle South Africa on a sluggish pitch. Opting to bat first, South Africa struggled against India’s disciplined spin attack and was bowled out for a mere 82 runs.
Trisha showcased her all-round abilities, claiming three wickets, while the left-arm spin trio of Parunika Sisodia, Aayushi Shukla, and Vaishnavi Sharma took two wickets each. Vaishnavi Sharma’s consistent performances throughout the tournament made her the leading wicket-taker, with 17 wickets to her name.
South Africa’s innings began on a positive note, with Jemma Botha hitting two boundaries in the opening over bowled by Joshitha VJ. However, their hopes were short-lived as Parunika Sisodia dismissed Simone Lourens for a duck in the very next over, triggering a collapse
.India’s comprehensive win highlighted the depth of talent and resilience in the team. With Trisha leading from the front and the spinners delivering a masterclass, the Indian U19 women’s team showcased their dominance on the global stage once again. This victory not only solidifies India’s position as a powerhouse in women’s cricket but also paves the way for a bright future for these young stars.
