India won the inaugural edition of the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup by defeating England in the final in Potchefstroom on Sunday (January 29).
Opting to bowl first, India side bundled out England for a paltry 68 in 17.1 overs. Titas Sadhu was the stand-out Indian bowler as she returned with remarkable figures of 4-0-6-2. Archana Devi and Parshavi Chopra also claimed two wickets each
Chasing the target, the Girls in Blue lost the openers early but a game-changing 46-run stand between Soumya Tiwari (24*) and Gongadi Trisha (24) ensured India’s victory with seven wickets in hand and six overs to spare.
The performance of the Shafali Verma-led side also impressed the legendary Mithali Raj and she expects at least three to four members of the Indian Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup squad to make it to the senior level and potentially play a key role in the ODI World Cup at home in 2025.
Leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra, opener Shweta Sehrawat, pacer Titas Sadhu, off-break bowler Archana Devi and left-arm spinner Mannat Kashyap were among the standout performers for India in the marquee event.
“The spinners and seamers have been very impressive and in both the departments we need improvement at the senior level. It’s always good to have more options and build a solid pool of players.
“When you compare to the highest level, there is obviously bit of difference in terms of standards, technique and temperament at the U-19 level.
“We will have to work on them. And from what I saw in South Africa, they are really good,” Mithali told PTI.
Moving forward, she wants all the members of the triumphant squad to play domestic cricket while the three or four who are ready for the higher level can be slowly drafted into the national side.
“Playing domestic cricket is very important for them and should not be neglected. WPL will also get them the required exposure.
“The next ODI World Cup is at home and we have not won a global event yet at the senior level. I am sure the BCCI is prioritising that and will keep these players in the mix,” Mithali stated.
She also recalled her interactions with the Girls in Blue before the start of the competition in South Africa.
“It was not much of a technical conversation. It was more about the preparation and they had lots of questions on that. Things like how to prepare because these girls are very young and there is a lot of difference in team training and personal training. I spoke about how to make the transition.
“They are very keen learners and because of the level they are at, they are very energetic as well,” she said.
Mithali also had special praise reserved for the Indian Women’s U-19 head coach Nooshin Al Khadeer.
“She has worked tirelessly with this bunch of cricketers and deserves all the credit. She has done well in all her assignments whether it is with the Railways in domestic cricket and now at the India U-19 level.”
(With PTI Inputs)
