Cricket's future glimmers as teams gear up for the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2025, with notable selections announced.
With the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup set to launch from January 18 to February 2, 2025, across several venues in Malaysia, excitement is building around the teams announced, reflecting youth potential and the rise of women's cricket globally.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently revealed its squad for the tournament, featuring three promising cricketers from the Telugu-speaking states. Gongadi Trisha, who excelled at the Women’s U19 Asia Cup, has been selected for the final squad, alongside talented players Kesari Dhrithi and Shabnam. The BCCI confirmed the 15-member squad, which will be captained by Nicky Prasad with Sanika Chalke as vice-captain.
Trisha's significant contributions during the Asia Cup, where she scored 52 runs against Pakistan and earned Player of the Match honors, have set high expectations for her performance on this international stage. Her fellow squad members include Kamilini G., Bhavika Ahire, Eshwari Avassare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, and others, with additional players named as standbys.
Matches will see Team India face the West Indies on January 19, Malaysia on January 21, and Sri Lanka on January 23, promising thrilling clashes as the defending champions aim to showcase their strength.
Meanwhile, the USA's U19 Women’s team also preparing for their second World Cup appearance has announced Anika Kolan as captain, with Aditi Chudasama as vice-captain. This seasoned roster includes veterans from the inaugural edition held in South Africa and fresh faces eager to make their mark.
Coach Hilton Moreeng expressed confidence, stating: "We believe we have a talented group. Our aim is to compete strongly on the world stage.” With warm-up matches against New Zealand and Nepal scheduled, the players are gearing up for high-stakes contests against formidable opponents including Pakistan and England.
Similarly, the West Indies U19 Women's team, led by captain Samara Ramnath and vice-captain Callender, aims to capitalize on its regional training camps and competitive spirit. CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe heralded this tournament as a significant step for women’s cricket, enhancing visibility of talent from all Caribbean territories.
Approaching the World Cup will require the teams to establish formidable performances right from the group stage. Each squad trains rigorously, focusing on teamwork and individual skills, hoping to navigate through the round-robin stage and secure positions for the Super 6 phase, which begins on January 25. The best teams will aim for their place at the finals on February 2 at the Bayuemas Oval, expecting to draw vast crowds.
This World Cup features unprecedented inclusion, with teams such as Samoa and Malaysia taking part for the first time, making it not just a tournament but also a landmark moment for women’s cricket. With 16 teams split across four groups, thrilling rivalries are anticipated as each contender vies for glory.
Both the BCCI and CWI squads are optimistic about their prospects, aiming to build on past experiences with fresh talent invigorated to ascend to the international workforce.
The stakes are high, but the promise of young talent shines brightly as these teams head to Malaysia for the eager awaited World Cup.
