India is poised to compete fiercely as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced its 15-member squad for the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2025, set to take place from January 18 to February 2, 2025, at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur. This event marks another opportunity for the young athletes to showcase their talent on the international stage.
Leading the charge is Niki Prasad, who captained the team to victory at the inaugural ACC U19 Women’s Asia Cup 2024, asserting her leadership skills and tactical prowess. Her deputy, Sanika Chalke, will support her as vice-captain, reinforcing the leadership structure of this promising squad. With the pressure of being defending champions, the squad is filled with expectations and determination to repeat their success.
The composition of the squad includes notable talents such as Kamalini G and Bhavika Ahire, both of whom will serve as wicket-keepers. Kamalini, who recently achieved fame during the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 auction, where she was acquired by Mumbai Indians for ₹1.6 crore, has proven her mettle with remarkable performances. She played a pivotal role by scoring heavily for Tamil Nadu, including being the top scorer for India B against South Africa A.
The squad features several returning players from the inaugural U19 Women's T20 World Cup where India triumphed over England under Shafali Verma’s captaincy. This title win is still fresh, as India clinched the cup by defeating England by seven wickets back in 2023, solidifying their status as the premier side in women's junior cricket.
India's lineup also boasts players like G Trisha and Aayushi Shukla, who were instrumental at the Asia Cup – together they led the scoreboard for runs and wickets during the tournament, contributing significantly to India's final victory over Bangladesh. Their inclusion underlines the depth of talent and competitive spirit within the team.
For the upcoming World Cup, India has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Malaysia, the West Indies, and Sri Lanka. They will kick off their campaign on January 19 against West Indies, followed by matches against Malaysia and Sri Lanka on January 21 and January 23, respectively. Each of these matches will be fundamental as they fight for positions leading to the Super Six stage, where teams will carry forward points, wins, and net run rate to determine who advances.
With 16 teams participating, the tournament will follow an engaging format where the top three teams from each of the four groups will secure places in the Super Sixes, with the ultimate aim of reaching the finals scheduled for February 2, 2025. The road to the finals is riddled with competition, but India's previous triumphs position them as strong contenders to defend their title.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the combination of youth and experience will play out as Niki Prasad and her team set out to forge another successful chapter in women's cricket history. All eyes will be on the team as they look to replicate and build on their previous successes, driving forward the narrative of women’s cricket.
To summarize the squad, it includes: Niki Prasad (captain), Sanika Chalke (vice-captain), G Trisha, Kamalini G (WK), Bhavika Ahire (WK), Ishwari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodiya, Kesari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, MD Shabnam, and Vaishnavi S as well as standby players Nandhana S, Ira J, and Anadi T.
With only days remaining until the action commences, the Indian team faces not just external competition but the weight of expectation to uphold their championship legacy. The spirit and resilience displayed by these young athletes could very well write future stories for women's cricket on the international stage.
