India has won the inaugural ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, defeating England by 7 wickets in the final match of the tournament, played at Senwes Park in South Africa’s Potchefstroom on January 29.
India’s U-19 women’s cricket team won their first ICC title on Sunday, defeating England in the inaugural U-19 World Cup with a seven-wicket victory. The Shafali Verma-led India U-19 squad managed to do what their seniors could not do by clearing the final hurdle in a global event.
India first bundled out England for 68 in 17.1 overs and then returned to knock off the paltry target in 14 overs to lift the coveted trophy. “It is just a proud moment, its our first world cup,” said Trisha with stumps in hand after the memorable win.
The win on Sunday also reaffirms India’s dominance at the U-19 level with the boys winning the world title in the Caribbean last year. India’s bowling attack, led by pacer Titas Sadhu and supported by leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra, set up the comprehensive win on Sunday as they blew England away with a clinical display at Senwes Park.
𝗖.𝗛.𝗔.𝗠.𝗣.𝗜.𝗢.𝗡.𝗦! 🏆🎉
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 29, 2023
Meet the winners of the inaugural #U19T20WorldCup
INDIA 🇮🇳 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/ljtScy6MXb
While Sadhu showed that Indian women’s pace bowling is in safe hands following the retirement of Jhulan Goswami with impressive figures of 4-0-6-2, Chopra too continued her dream run as she snapped two for 13. Archana Devi also scalped 2 for 17, while Mannat Kashyap (1/13), Shafali(1/16) and Sonam Yadav (1/3) accounted for one wicket each as England were all at sea after being asked to take first strike.
Following a pep talk from India’s Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, India came out with a specific plan and executed it perfectly as England’s innings never really took off after being reduced to 16 for three in four overs.
Chasing 69, Shafali started with a boundary off Hannah Baker before launching Sophia Smale for a maximum. But Baker came back to get rid of the India skipper, who was caught by Alexa Stonehouse in the 3rd over. Her opening and team’s best batter in the tournament, Shweta Sehrawat, also was back in the hut after giving a simple catch to Baker off Grace Scrivens in the fourth over. Soumya Tiwari (24 not out) and Gongadi Trisha (24) then dug their heels in with a 46-run partnership.
With four runs needed, Trisha was cleaned up by Stonehouse, as Tiwari knocked off the winning runs. Besides Shafali, Richa Ghosh was the other international cricketer in the U-19 squad.
The victory on Sunday also marks a historic moment for Indian women’s cricket as it is their first-ever world cup win. The team’s performance, led by a bunch of sprightly and talented teenagers, is a testament to the bright future of the sport in the country.
— ENDS —
