U-19 T20 WC: India women retain title with flawless run

India women defend title beating South Africa by nine wickets in one-sided final in Kuala Lumpur

- Shalini Gupta

CHANDIGARH: When India and South Africa, both unbeaten in the tournament, met in the final of the Women's U-19 World Cup final in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, there was hope that it would be an even contest. However, defending champions India showed their prowess to register a clinical, nine-wicket win to take home their second ICC title.

It was Gongadi Trisha's all-round show (44*, 3/15) that set up India's remarkable win. Trisha, Shabnam Shakeel and Sonam Yadav were also part of the India U-19 team that clinched the 2023 World Cup title. For Trisha, the U-19 World Cup will hold a special place as she not only helped India win the final but was also named player of the tournament for scoring 309 runs and taking seven wickets bowling spin.

The Hyderabad batter also hit an unbeaten 110 from 53 deliveries in India's Super Six game against Scotland, becoming the first player to breach the triple-figure mark in the age-category tournament.

South Africa elected to bat, but after restricting them to 82 all out in 20 overs, India chased down the target in 11.2 overs, scoring 84/1 with Trisha (44*) and Sanika Chalke (26*) getting the job done.