India's Under-19 Women's cricket team made history on February 2, 2025, by clinching the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur. The team, under immense competitive pressure, put forth a stellar performance throughout the tournament, culminating in a decisive nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the final. This marks India's second consecutive World Cup title, showcasing their commitment to excellence and dominance at the youth cricket level.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has acknowledged this remarkable achievement by announcing a generous cash reward of Rs 5 crore for the players, highlighting their dedication and teamwork. The BCCI's president praised the team for their exceptional skills and spirit displayed during the tournament, expressing the nation's pride in their outstanding success.
India's road to victory was characterized by skillful play and strategic acumen. Opting to bowl first against South Africa, the Indian spin attack proved lethal, restricting the opponents to just 82 runs. Star spinner Gongadi Trisha led the charge, taking three wickets for 15 runs, alongside Parunika Sisodia, Aayushi Shukla, and Vaishnavi Sharma, who each made significant contributions to dismantle the South African batting order.
Despite losing G Kamalini early on, Trisha, who scored an unbeaten 39 runs, along with Sanika Chalke (26 runs off 22 balls), ensured India chased down the target comfortably within 11.2 overs. This efficient run-chase marked the conclusion of the tournament with India finishing undefeated, showcasing their prowess with seven wins out of seven matches.
Gongadi Trisha not only emerged as the standout player for India but also received the Player of the Tournament award, having scored 309 runs across the competition at an impressive average of 77.25. She secured the Player of the Match accolade during the final for her all-round performance, which included both her key wicket-taking ability and substantial contributions with the bat, reinforcing her status as one of the tournament's stars.
Following this achievement, four Indian cricketers, including Trisha, were named to the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament, underscoring their remarkable efforts during the event. Trisha's formidable opening performances were complemented by the abilities of fellow team members G Kamalini, Aayushi Shukla, and Vaishnavi Sharma. While Kamalini scored 143 runs, Shukla and Sharma excelled with their bowling, collecting 14 and 17 wickets respectively, leading to their individual recognitions.
This victory is seen not only as triumph for the current squad but also as pivotal for the future of Indian women’s cricket. The last two editions of the Under-19 World Cup have established India as the premier nation at this level, buoying hopes for the continued growth of women's cricket in the country.
The tournament highlighted significant improvements within the Indian team since their previous outings. The inaugural competition two years ago saw them fail to advance past the Super Six. The systematic development of talent within the Under-19 ranks now presents promising prospects for the senior side.
The board and cricket analysts are optimistic about the future contributions of these young athletes to the national women's team, especially with Trisha’s talent serving as a beacon for aspiring cricketers across the nation. Her accomplishments, including earlier accolades and her rising form, portend great things not just for her but for the Indian cricketing community at large.
Looking forward, the success of the Under-19 team and players like Trisha is expected to accelerate the visibility and support for women's cricket, both at the grassroots and elite levels. Authorities are likely to continue investing in nurturing young talents, ensuring this championship win serves as both inspiration and motivation for future generations.
Overall, the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 has been remembered not just for the victory itself, but as part of India’s continuing legacy of excellence within women’s cricket.