India Script History, becoming the first U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Champions

India marked history and style. The Shafali Verma-led team are now the first-ever U19 Women’s T20 World Cup champions. After a superb bowling display that saw India brush aside England for just 68, India got the goal in just 14 overs. “It’s just a proud moment, it’s our first World Cup,” Gongadi Trisha (24) said with stumps in her hand after the memorable win. Sunday’s win also reaffirms India’s dominance at U-19 level, with the boys winning the world title in the Caribbean last year.

champions #U19T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/KQat6BUeo8

— ICC (@ICC) January 29, 2023

“Women’s cricket in India is booming and the World Cup triumph has lifted the stature of women’s cricket several notches above. I am delighted to announce INR 5 million for the whole team and the support staff as prize money. This is surely a way-breaking year,” tweeted BCCI Secretary Jay Shah after the victory.

Women’s cricket in India is booming and the World Cup triumph has raised the stature of women’s cricket by several notches. I am delighted to announce INR 5 crore for the entire team and support staff as prize money. It is certainly a pioneering year.

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 29, 2023

India’s bowling attack, led by pacemaker Titas Sadhu and backed by leg spinner Parshavi Chopra, staged a comprehensive victory on Sunday as they blew away England with a clinical display at Senwes Park.

While Sadhu showed Indian women’s bowling is in safe hands after Jhulan Goswami retired with impressive 4-0-6-2 numbers, Chopra also continued her dream run as she broke 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 a wicket apiece as England were all at sea after being invited to take the first strike.

Following a pep talk from Indian Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, India came up with a specific plan and executed it perfectly as England’s innings never really took off after being reduced to 16 for three out of four.

Chasing 69, Shafali started with a boundary off Hannah Baker before tossing Sophia Smale for a max. But Baker came back to get rid of the Indian skipper, caught by Alexa Stonehouse in 3rd.

His opener and his team’s leading hitter in the tournament, Shweta Sehrawat, was also back in the hut after giving Baker a single over Grace Scrivens at fourth over.

Soumya Tiwari (24 not out) and Gongadi Trisha (24) then dug their heels in with a 46-point partnership.

With four points needed, Trisha was cleared by Stonehouse, as Tiwari knocked out the winning points.

Besides Shafali, Richa Ghosh was the other international cricketer in the U-19 team.

Earlier, Sadhu kicked 20 point balls in his four-over quota. She hit in the fourth ball of the innings with a superb catch and throw effort to get rid of Liberty Heap (0).

Spinner Archana then cleared Niamh Fiona Holland (10), while Gongadi Trisha pulled off a sensational hold to get rid of Grace Scrivens (4) to give Archana their second wicket.

Sadhu could have added another wicket to his name, but senior pro Richa dropped a regulation catch from Ryana Macdonald Gay, who had edged a ball on the outside.

The host of Bengal, however, did not wait any longer since she then walked through the doors of Seren Smale (3).

Macdonald Gay played a few hits against the fence to ease the pressure but in-form leg spinner Parshavi Chopra then came on, trapping Charis Pavely (2) in front of the wicket as England lost the half of his team for 39 in 10 overs.

Left arm spinner Kashyap also kept things tight on the other end as Chopra took out Macdonald Gay with Archana taking a superb one-handed hold with a full dive to extra coverage. India’s fielding was exemplary in the big game.

With England at 46 for 6 from 12 overs, skipper Shafali won but Alexa Stonehouse hit her for a rare boundary.

Soumya was then in action when his direct hit found Josephine Groves short by a large margin, leaving England 53 for 7. Shafali and Richa then combined to pile more misery on England, with the latter producing an effort of strain. Kashyap then withdrew Stonehouse with Sonam taking cover cart.

With PTI inputs

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