Indian Under-19 women cricket players celebrate with the T20 World Cup trophy after victory over England in Potchefstroom, South Africa on January 29, 2023. Photo Credit: PTI
India on Sunday won their maiden ICC title in women’s cricket as the flamboyant and talented teenagers clinched the inaugural U-19 World Cup with a stunning seven-wicket victory over England.
Shafali Verma-led India U-19 team managed to do what their seniors couldn’t by crossing the final hurdle at a global event.
India first bundled out England for 68 in 17.1 overs and then chased down a modest target in 14 overs to lift the coveted trophy.
“It’s a proud moment, it’s our first World Cup,” said Trisha with stump in hand after the memorable win.
Sunday’s win also reaffirms India’s dominance at the U-19 level, with the boys having won the world title in the Caribbean last year.
India’s bowling attack, led by pacer Tita Sadhu and supported by leg-spinner Parshvi Chopra, registered a comprehensive win and thrashed England in a spectacular performance at the Senwes Park on Sunday.
While Sadhu showed that the Indian women’s fast bowling is in safe hands after the retirement of Jhulan Goswami with impressive figures of 4-0-6-2, Chopra too continued her dream run as she took two wickets for 13 runs.
Archana Devi also took 2 for 17, while Mannat Kashyap (1/13), Shafali (1/16) and Sonam Yadav (1/3) picked up a wicket each as England were asked to strike first went.
Inspired by India’s Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, India came up with a special plan and executed it perfectly as England’s innings didn’t really move forward after being 16 for three in four overs.
Chasing 69, Shafali hit a boundary off Hannah Baker before launching a maximum to Sophia Smell. But Baker came back to get rid of the India skipper, who was caught by Alexa Stonehouse in the third over.
Their opener and the team’s best batsman of the tournament Shweta Sehrawat also returned in the fourth over with a simple catch by Baker off Grace Scrivens.
Soumya Tiwary (24 not out) and Gongadi Trisha (24) then shared a 46-run partnership.
With four runs needed, Trisha was clean bowled by Stonehouse as Tiwary scored the winning runs.
Apart from Shafali, Richa Ghosh was the other international cricketer in the U-19 team.
Indian players celebrate an England wicket during the ICC Under 19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 final between India Women U19 vs England Women U19 at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Sunday. , Photo Credit: ANI
Earlier, Sadhu bowled 20 dot balls in his quota of four overs. He made a brilliant catch and bold effort to dismiss Liberty Heap (0) on the fourth ball of the innings.
Spinner Archana then clean bowled Niah Fiona Holland (10) while Goongadi Trisha took a sensational catch to dismiss Grace Scrivens (4) to hand Archana her second wicket.
Sadhu could have added another wicket to his tally but senior pro Richa dropped a regulation catch of Rayanna Macdonald Gay, who had edged the ball away.
The Bengal fast bowler, however, did not have to wait long as she edged past Serene Smale (3).
Macdonald Gay played a few hits over the fence to ease the pressure but in-form leg-spinner Parshvi Chopra struck again and trapped Charis Powell (2) in front of the wicket as England reached their halfway mark for 39 in 10 overs. Team lost.
Left-arm spinner Kashyap also kept things tight at the other end as Chopra removed McDonald Gay and Archana dived full over extra cover to take a brilliant one-handed catch. India’s fielding was excellent in the big match.
With England 46 for 6 in 12 overs, skipper Shafali brought herself in but Alexa Stonehouse hit her for a rare boundary.
Soumya was in action when her direct hit found Josephine Groves short by a wide margin, leaving England at 53 for 7. Shafali and Richa later heaped more misery on England with a stumping effort. Kashyap then removed Stonehouse and Sonam took a dolly on the cover.