TWO IN A ROW: U19 WORLD CHAMPS

The Niki Prasad-led side beats South Africa by nine wickets in the summit clash as India win second World Cup

- GOMESH S @ Chennai

WHEN Sanika Chalke heaved Monalisa Legodi past the square-leg fielder, the Indian dugout broke out with the loudest cheer at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday evening. The moment the ball touched the ropes, players ran in with flag in hand to hug and celebrate with Chalke and G Trisha in the middle.

Defending champions India had beaten South Africa by nine wickets to win the 2025 ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup. For a bunch of teenagers who have been together several months in their pursuit of one goal, it was a moment of jubilation. Some of them could barely hold their emotions together while a few were overwhelmed with happiness. And behind every player is a story of sacrifice, heartbreaks and tireless hard work in getting to this point. G Kamalini, the 17-year-old keeper-batter from Tamil Nadu, yelled in Tamil "Cup ah thookitom (We have lifted the trophy)," in delight. Six years ago, she hadn't picked up a cricket bat. She bowled for the first time while her father Gunalan was training her brother during lockdown. It was then Gunalan and Saranya saw a dream. They shifted from a tier two town of Madurai to Chennai for Kamalini's cricket and has been with her in every step of the way. "Cannot express our happiness. For all the struggles went through, this feels like god's gift. She is our gift," an emotional Gunalan said.