India Wins ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Again

India’s U19 women’s cricket team, under the leadership of skipper Niki Prasad, clinched their second consecutive ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup title on Sunday, defeating South Africa by nine wickets in the final held in Malaysia. This victory reinforces India’s dominance in the tournament, following their inaugural win in 2023.

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Prasad emphasized their goal to dominate and establish India’s supremacy in the competition. She credited the team’s composure, focus, and grounding as key factors in their success. Prasad also expressed gratitude to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for providing top-notch facilities and support.

All-rounder Gongadi Trisha was a standout performer throughout the tournament, amassing 309 runs and taking seven wickets, earning her the Player of the Tournament award. In the final, Trisha’s unbeaten 44 runs and bowling figures of 3/15 were instrumental in securing the win, leading to her being named Player of the Match. She dedicated her accolades to her father and expressed aspirations to represent India at higher levels, drawing inspiration from former India captain Mithali Raj.

In the final match, India chased down a modest target of 83 runs, reaching 84/1 in just 11.2 overs with 52 balls to spare. Trisha’s 44* off 33 balls and Sanika Chalke’s 26* off 22 balls ensured a comfortable victory.

Despite the loss, South Africa’s captain, Kayla Reyneke, expressed pride in her team’s historic journey to their first-ever final. She acknowledged the disappointment of missing out on the trophy but viewed the experience as motivation to return stronger in future tournaments.

This tournament showcased emerging talents and highlighted the growing competitiveness in women’s cricket. India’s consecutive titles underscore their strong developmental programs and the promising future of women’s cricket in the country.