India won their maiden ICC title in women’s cricket on Sunday, as a bright and talented group of teenagers swept England by seven wickets in the inaugural U-19 World Cup.
India’s U-19 squad, led by Shafari Verma, has done what their predecessors failed to do by clearing the final hurdle of the global event.
India first beat England in 17.1 overs where he scored 68 before lifting the coveted trophy by defeating a narrow goal in 14 overs.
“It’s a proud moment. It’s our first World Championship,” said Trisha, holding hands after the monumental victory.
Sunday’s victory also confirmed India’s dominance at the U-19 level, where the men won the world title in the Caribbean last year. India’s bowling attack, led by pacer Titus Sadhu and backed by legspinner Parshavi Chopra, blew England away with a clinical performance at Senweth Park to set the stage for a comprehensive win on Sunday.
Sadhu showed India’s women’s bowling pace to be safe with an impressive record of 4-0-6-2 after the retirement of Juran Goswami, but Chopra also saw his 13-to-1. I got caught at 2 and continued my dream run.
Archana Devi also she scalped 17-2 with Mannat Kashyap (1/13), Shafali (1/16) and Sonam Yadav (1/3) each taking wickets.
India’s Olympic javelin throwing champion Neeraj After encouragement from her Chopra, India had a concrete plan and executed it flawlessly. England’s innings did not really go well after four overs saw him reduced to 16 for 3.
Chasing 69, Shafari started at the border from Hannah Baker and launched Sophia Sumer to max. Baker, however, returned to chase off the Indians’ skipper who was caught by Alexa Stonehouse in three overs.
Shweta Sefrawat, her opening hitter and team’s top hitter, was also back at the lodge after Baker missed an easy catch against Grace Scrivens in four overs.
Soumya Tiwari (24 not out) and Gongadi Trisha (24) dug heels into a 46-run partnership.
With four runs needed, Trisha was cleaned up by Stonehouse and Tiwari thrashed the winning run.
Alongside Shafali, Richa Ghosh was another international cricketer on her U-19 team. Previously, Sadhu threw a 20-point ball in a 4-over allotment. She hit her fourth ball of the inning and made a fine catch-and-bowl effort to remove Liberty Heap (0).
Spinner Archana put away her Niamh Fiona Holland (10) and Gongadi Trisha with a sensational catch she dismissed Grace Scrivens (4) to give Archana her second wicket.
Sadhu could have added another wicket to her name, but senior pro Richa dropped her usual catch from Liana McDonald Gay, who edged the outgoing ball.
But the Bengal pacesetter didn’t have to wait any longer. She next passed through the gates of Seren Sumer (3). Macdonald Gay took a few shots into the fence to relieve the pressure, but good legspinner Pashabi Chopra came on and pinned Charice Pavey (2) from the wicket to give England 10. Lost half of the team by 39 in overs.
Left-arm spinner Kashyap held things on the other side as well, as Chopra eliminated McDonald Gay and Archana dived full into the extra cover to pull off an excellent one-handed catch. India’s fieldwork was exemplary in the big game.
England were 46 for 6 in 12 overs with skipper Shafali entering the game but Alexa Stonehouse beat her on rare boundaries.