Kuala Lumpur, Feb 1: With an unbeaten streak in the tournament, a formidable India is poised as the clear favorite to secure their second consecutive title when they face South Africa in the final of the Women’s U19 T20 World Cup this Sunday.
India has displayed excellence throughout the tournament, triumphing in all six matches to date.
Under the leadership of Niki Prasad, the team has excelled in all areas, achieving convincing victories over the West Indies (by 9 wickets), Malaysia (by 10 wickets), Sri Lanka (by 60 runs), Bangladesh (by 8 wickets), Scotland (by 150 runs), and England (by 9 wickets in the semifinal).
Key opener Gongadi Trisha has dominated with the bat, becoming the tournament’s top scorer with 265 runs across six innings at an impressive average of 66.25. Her left-handed opening partner, G Kamalini, follows closely in third place with 135 runs at an average of 45.
A concern for India, however, is the limited exposure and runs scored by the middle order, as the openers have consistently amassed the bulk of the runs.
On the bowling side, India is also leading, with the slow left-arm orthodox pair of Vaishnavi Sharma and Aayushi Shukla at the forefront of the wicket-takers’ chart.
Vaishnavi stands at the top with 15 wickets at an average of 3.40, while Aayushi has secured 12 wickets at an average of 5.91. Their contributions will be vital in the final on the slow, turning wickets.
Conversely, South Africa has made history by reaching their first-ever ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup final after a notable five-wicket victory against Australia in the semifinal, aiming to surprise India on their path to the title.
Squads: India: Niki Prasad (c), Sanika Chalke, G Trisha, Kamalini G, Bhavika Ahire, Ishwari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodiya, Kesari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, MD Shabnam, Vaishnavi S.
South Africa: Simone Lourens, Karabo Meso, Kayla Reyneke (c), Jemma Botha, Seshnie Naidu, Diara Ramlakan, Monalisa Legodi, Nthabiseng Nini, Fay Cowling, Jae-Leigh Filander, Luyanda Nzuza, D van Rensburg, Mieke van Voorst, Ashleigh van Wyk, Chanel Venter.
The match is scheduled to start at 12:00 PM IST. (PTI)
