By Bootballer Desk • Cricket • Feb 02, 2025 14:45 PM • 94 views
India reaffirmed its dominance in women's youth cricket by securing back-to-back ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup titles. In the final at the Biomass Oval on Sunday, India defeated South Africa by a commanding nine wickets. The Indian team showcased a clinical performance, chasing a modest target of 83 runs in 11.2 overs while losing only one wicket.
Openers Gongadi Trisha and Sanika Chalke spearheaded India's chase with a composed batting display. Trisha remained unbeaten on 44 runs, anchoring the innings precisely, while Chalke contributed a brisk 26 runs. South Africa's Kayla Reneke managed to claim the sole wicket for her team, but it was not enough to halt India's march to victory.
Earlier, South Africa, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. The Proteas were bowled out for 82 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Mickey van Wurst top-scored with 23 runs, while Faye Cowling (15) and Karabo Meso (10) were the only other batters to reach double figures. 
India's bowlers delivered a collective masterclass, with Gongadi Trisha leading the charge by claiming three crucial wickets. Vaishnavi Sharma, Parunika Sisodia, and Ayushi Shukla supported with two wickets each, while Shabnam added one to her tally. The bowling unit's relentless pressure ensured South Africa never gained a foothold in the match.
This victory marks India's second consecutive triumph in the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, cementing their status as a powerhouse in women’s youth cricket. The team's all-round performance, combining disciplined bowling and efficient batting, proved too much for South Africa to handle.
Nepal debuted in the tournament but faced a challenging campaign. The team lost all three group-stage matches before securing a consolation victory against Malaysia in the playoffs. Despite the setbacks, Nepal's participation marked a significant milestone for the nation's cricketing journey.
