India overpowered England by seven wickets to win the Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup in South Africa. India lost just three wickets while chasing the 69-run goal in 14 overs.
In a major competition, the India U19 team under the administration of Shafali Verma accomplished where their seniors had failed. India won the prized championship by first bowling England out for 68 in 17.1 overs, and then they came back to chase down the meagre mark in just 14 overs.
After the spectacular victory, Trisha commented, "It's just a big achievement, it's the first world cup." With the boys winning the championship in the Caribbean last year, the victory further solidifies India's hegemony at the U-19 level.
Following the victory, BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced on Twitter that the winning team will get Rs 5 crore in prize money, along with their support crew.
Match highlights
At Senwes Park, India's bowling assault, which included leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra and pacer Titas Sadhu, laid the groundwork for a convincing victory over England.
With outstanding figures of 4-0-6-2, Sadhu demonstrated that Indian women's fast bowling is in good hands after the resignation of Jhulan Goswami, and Chopra extended her fantasy run by taking two for 13. As England struggled after being asked to bat first, Archana Devi also claimed 2 for 17, whereas Mannat Kashyap (1/13), Shafali (1/16), and Sonam Yadav (1/3) each claimed one wicket.
Shafali launched Sophia Smale for a total in the 69-yard chase after starting with a single off Hannah Baker. When Alexa Stonehouse caught the India captain in the third over, Baker returned to remove him.
Shweta Sehrawat, who batted first and was her team's best batter in the event, returned to the hut after giving Baker a straightforward catch off Grace Scrivens in the fourth over. Then, with a 46-run combination, Soumya Tiwari (24 not out) and Gongadi Trisha (24), dug in.
Trisha was struck out by Stonehouse with four runs remaining, and Tiwari scored the go-ahead runs.The other international cricket player in the U-19 team, in addition to Shafali, was Richa Ghosh. Earlier, in her allotted four over, Sadhu delivered 20 dot balls. She got rid of Liberty Heap with a brilliant caught and bowled performance in the fourth ball of the innings (0).
Archana, a spinner, next dismissed Niamh Fiona Holland (10), then Gongadi Trisha made an incredible catch to dismiss Grace Scrivens (4), giving Archana her second wicket. Sadhu had the opportunity to increase her wicket total, but senior pro-Richa lost a grab of Ryana Macdonald Gay after she edged a ball that was traveling away from her.
However, the Bengal pacer did not have to wait much longer because she was the next to enter Seren Smale (3)'s gates. To relieve some of the pressure, Macdonald Gay hammered a few balls to the fence. However, Parshavi Chopra, who was in fine form, intervened and trapped Charis Pavely (2) in front of the wicket, reducing England to 39 for 10 overs.
A brilliant one-handed catch by Archana with a complete dive at extra cover allowed Chopra to dismiss Macdonald Gay, while left-arm spinner Kashyap also kept places close at the other end. India's fielding in the important game was superb. Shafali, the captain, called herself in when England was 46 for 6 in 12 overs, but Alexa Stonehouse struck her for a surprising boundary.
Soumya then took the field when her direct hit left Josephine Groves significantly short, leading England at 53 for 7. Then Richa and Shafali worked together to further humiliate England, with the latter putting out a stumping effort. Sonam took a dolly to cover as Kashyap dismantled Stonehouse.
