Synopsis
In a spectacular display, India secured their U19 Women’s T20 World Cup title with a nine-wicket triumph over South Africa in Kuala Lumpur. Trisha Gongadi's all-round brilliance and a strong bowling performance paved the way for this victory, showcasing India's dominance at the U19 level.Key Takeaways
- Trisha Gongadi's exceptional all-round performance.
- India's second consecutive win in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
- India bowled out South Africa for just 82 runs.
- Unbeaten run throughout the tournament.
- Leading wicket-taker Vaishnavi Sharma with 17 wickets.
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 2 (NationPress) Trisha Gongadi delivered an impressive all-round display as a commanding India successfully defended their U19 Women’s T20 World Cup title, achieving a convincing nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the final at the Bayuemas Oval on Sunday.
A remarkable bowling effort, with spinners claiming nine wickets—three of which were taken by Trisha—alongside solid fielding allowed Niki Prasad-led India to restrict South Africa to just 82 runs on a sluggish pitch.
In response, Trisha scored 44 not out off 33 balls while Sanika Chalke contributed an unbeaten 26 off 22 deliveries, leading India to complete the chase in 11.2 overs and clinch the title once more after their previous victory in 2023 in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
This marked India’s second consecutive triumph in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, further demonstrating the gap that exists between them and other nations at the U19 women’s level, as they also became the first team to win the title undefeated.
Chasing a target of 83, India began with Trisha slicing the ball wide of the keeper for four off Nthabiseng Nini. She then struck Fay Cowling over covers for two more boundaries, while G Kamalini opened her account with a hit over mid-on off Kayla Reyneke.
Trisha showed a particular affinity for Seshnie Naidu's leg-spin, cutting between cover and point, steering past short third man, and launching a full toss over fine leg for three fours, with India reaching 36 for no loss in just four overs.
Kamalini was dismissed for eight in the fifth over while attempting to clear the boundary but instead hit to long-on. After Sanika scored with a magnificent drive between cover and mid-off, Trisha bisected the gap between deep mid-wicket and long-on for four more runs.
With Sanika smashing one over Ashleigh van Wyk's head for another boundary, India was just 25 runs away from victory. The pair maintained their composure and rotated the strike effectively before Sanika clipped Jemma Botha for four.
Trisha guided Jemma past the keeper for another four, and Sanika capped off the innings with a boundary off Monalisa to secure the winning runs for India.
Earlier, apart from Trisha's three wickets, the left-arm spin trio of Parunika Sisodia, Aayushi Shukla, and Vaishnavi Sharma claimed two wickets each, while fast-bowler Shabnam Shakil added one. Vaishnavi emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with a total of 17 wickets.
Opting to bat first, Jemma Botha hit two boundaries off Joshitha VJ in the opening over. However, India struck back quickly as Parunika bowled Simone Lourens for a duck in the next over.
Under pressure to halt a series of dot balls, Jemma attempted a cross-bat shot but ended up edging it to Kamalini, who caught it one-handed off Shabnam's bowling. Aayushi joined the wicket-takers by dismissing Diara Ramlakan, leaving South Africa reeling at 29-3 by the end of the powerplay.
As runs dried up, India intensified the pressure with consistent dot balls. South Africa's captain Kayla attempted to break the pressure with a lofted shot but was caught at long-off, granting Trisha her first wicket of the final. Aayushi claimed her second wicket by uprooting Karabo Meso's stumps, leaving South Africa at 44/5 in 12.4 overs.
Fay Cowling and Mieke van Voorst formed a 30-run partnership, providing some stability for South Africa, but Trisha dismissed both in quick succession, ensuring South Africa wouldn't reach triple digits.
Vaishnavi bowled Fay and Monalisa Legodi, while Parunika had Ashleigh van Wyk caught on the last ball of the innings, as South Africa posted a total far too low to challenge a top-tier Indian batting lineup.
Brief Scores: South Africa 82 all out (Mieke van Voorst 23, Fay Cowling 15; Trisha Gongadi 3-15, Parunika Sisodia 2-6) lost to India 84/1 in 11.2 overs (Trisha Gongadi 44 not out, Sanika Chalke 26 not out; Kayla Reyneke 1-14) by nine wickets.
