India has created history and in style. The Shafali Verma-led side is now the first ever champion of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. After a brilliant bowling performance, India bowled out England for just 68, India achieved the target in just 14 overs. “It’s a proud moment, it’s our first World Cup,” said Gongdi Trisha (24) 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.
champions #U19T20World Cup pic.twitter.com/KQat6BUeo8
– ICC (@ICC) January 29, 2023
“Women’s cricket in India is on the rise and the World Cup win has taken the stature of women’s cricket up several notches. I am happy to announce Rs 5 crore as prize money for the entire team and support staff This is definitely a way-breaking year,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah tweeted after the win.
Women’s cricket is on the rise in India and the World Cup victory has raised the stature of women’s cricket several notches higher. I am happy to announce Rs 5 crore for the entire team and support staff as prize money. This is certainly a path-breaking year.
– Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 29, 2023
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.
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.
with PTI inputs
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