India Clinch U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Title

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03Feb, 2025
India’s U19 Women’s team successfully defended their ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup title in Kuala Lumpur with a commanding nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the final. The reigning champions, led by a stellar all-round performance from Gongadi Trisha, showcased their dominance in all facets of the game to secure their second consecutive title in style.
India’s Spinners Stifle South Africa’s Batting
Winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first, looking to set a competitive total in the high-stakes clash at Bayuemas Oval. However, their hopes were quickly dented as India’s disciplined bowling attack took control.
South Africa’s key batter, Jemma Botha, who had starred in the semi-final against Australia, showed early promise with consecutive boundaries. But India struck back when Parunika Sisodia bowled Simone Lourens in the second over. The pivotal moment came when Botha, attempting a big shot off Shabnam Shakil, edged a catch to wicketkeeper Kamalini G, who pulled off a stunning one-handed grab.
From there, South Africa struggled to gain any momentum. Diara Ramlakan fell next ball, and India’s spin trio of Aayushi Shukla, Vaishnavi Sharma, and Sisodia tightened the screws, restricting South Africa to just 13 runs between the fourth and tenth overs.
Captain Kayla Reyneke and wicketkeeper Karabo Meso attempted to steady the innings, but both fell while trying to accelerate. Mieke van Voorst offered a brief resistance with a brisk 23 off 18 balls, including three boundaries, but once she was stumped off Trisha’s well-flighted delivery, South Africa’s innings collapsed.
India bowled their opponents out for just 82 runs, with Trisha leading the attack (3-15), supported by Sisodia (2-6), Shukla (2-9), and Sharma (2-23), who finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker.
Trisha Seals India’s Victory with the Bat
Chasing a modest total, India wasted no time asserting their dominance. Trisha, who finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, played a scintillating knock to guide her team home.
South Africa’s hopes of early breakthroughs nearly materialized when Nthabiseng Nini found Trisha’s outside edge in the first over. However, the ball eluded the wicketkeeper and ran to the boundary. Trisha capitalized on the opportunity, unleashing a series of powerful strokes, including three boundaries in the fourth over alone, to take India firmly in control.
Kamalini G (8) was dismissed in the fifth over after a spectacular catch in the deep by Lourens, but that was the only moment of joy for South Africa. Trisha continued her aggressive approach, finishing unbeaten on 44 off 33 balls.
Sanika Chalke applied the finishing touch, hitting the winning boundary in the 12th over to trigger jubilant celebrations among the Indian players and supporters. India’s chase took just 11.2 overs, emphasizing their superiority in the contest.
A Fitting End to a Perfect Campaign
With this victory, India reaffirmed their dominance at the U19 level, winning back-to-back World Cup titles after also lifting the inaugural trophy in 2023. Trisha ended the tournament as the highest run-scorer with 309 runs in seven matches at an impressive strike rate of 149.71.
South Africa, despite the loss, can take pride in their historic run to the final. Under the leadership of Kayla Reyneke, the Junior Proteas finished as runners-up in their first-ever ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup final, marking significant progress from their 2023 campaign, where they failed to make the semi-finals.
Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki praised the team’s resilience and performance: “We are incredibly proud of what this team has achieved. Reaching the final unbeaten is a monumental feat, and this marks a bright future for women’s cricket in South Africa.”
For India, this victory underscores the depth and talent in their women’s cricket pipeline, with future stars like Trisha, Sisodia, and Sharma emerging on the global stage. Their triumph in Kuala Lumpur will serve as an inspiration for young cricketers across the nation, further cementing India’s growing legacy in women’s cricket.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]
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