India’s ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Victory: Meet the Rising Stars Who Made it Happen
India has clinched the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup title for the second time, with an impressive performance from their young squad. Here’s a look at the standout performers who played a pivotal role in this triumphant victory.
- Gongadi Trisha:
Trisha from Hyderabad was undoubtedly the star of the tournament. She set a record for the most runs in a single edition of the competition, amassing 309 runs in seven matches at an average of 77.25, including a century. Apart from her batting prowess, Trisha showcased her skills with the ball, taking seven wickets in as many matches, with a best of 3/6. Her all-round performance has left many in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) wondering why they missed out on her during the auctions. - G Kamalini
The left-handed opening batter from Tamil Nadu ended the tournament as the third-highest scorer, with 143 runs at an average of 47.66. Kamalini came into her own after a slow start, notably scoring 51 against Scotland in the Super Six stage and an unbeaten 56 in the semifinal against England. Her success with the bat caught the attention of Mumbai Indians, who purchased her for Rs 1.6 crore in the WPL auction. Kamalini’s cricketing journey began with skating, but after following her brother’s passion for cricket, she rose to the occasion with support from her family. - Vaishnavi Sharma
The left-arm orthodox bowler from Gwalior was a revelation, taking a record-breaking 17 wickets in the tournament. Vaishnavi’s exceptional performances began with a sensational 5/5, including a hat-trick against Malaysia. She consistently delivered throughout the tournament with key figures of 1/3 against Sri Lanka, 3/15 against Bangladesh, and 3/5 against Scotland. Her 2/23 in the final helped India secure the title in style. - Aayushi Shukla
Aayushi, known for her brilliant spin bowling, formed a formidable partnership with Vaishnavi. She finished with 14 wickets in seven matches, with her best performance coming against Scotland with 4/8. Aayushi’s ability to keep the opposition under pressure was one of the key factors behind India’s successful journey to the final and their eventual victory. - Sanika Chalke
Sanika from Mumbai played a vital role in India’s title-winning effort, hitting the match-winning runs in the final with a boundary off Monalisa Legodi. As a middle-order batter, Sanika provided solid support to the opening pair, delivering crucial knocks in key moments during the tournament. - Parunika Sisodia
The left-arm spinner from Gujarat Giants played an essential role in India’s bowling attack, contributing 10 wickets in the tournament. Parunika’s vital spells in the semifinal (3/21) and final (2/6) ensured India had the upper hand, complementing the efforts of Vaishnavi and Aayushi. - Shabnam Shakil
Shabnam, a 17-year-old from Visakhapatnam, was a key figure in India’s bowling attack, taking four wickets in seven matches. Her controlled and disciplined bowling throughout the tournament, with an economy rate of just over 4 runs per over, helped India maintain the pressure. Her best performance came with figures of 2/9, contributing significantly to the team’s success.