Gongadi Trisha’s all-round prowess powers flawless India U19 to successive World Cup triumphs

The 2nd edition of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025, hosted by Malaysia, has been an entertaining ride filled with action-packed edge-of-the-seat thrillers. Multiple upsets from some of the underdog sides in the tournament have made it a closely fought competition, as and when the rain gods have allowed some cricketing action to take place in Malaysia.

After 13 days of witnessing new and raw young talent take center stage and make the world notice their impressive skills on show, the two unbeaten teams in the tournament in South Africa led by skipper Kayla Reyneke and India led by skipper Niki Prasad locked horns for the title clash at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur on 2nd February 2025 (Sunday).

Gongadi Trisha’s all-round prowess powers flawless India U19 to successive World Cup triumphs
Gongadi Trisha’s all-round prowess powers flawless India U19 to successive World Cup triumphs

Indian Spinners rise to the occasion as they fold South Africa for 82

The South African openers Jemma Botha in particular came out all guns blazing smashing 10 runs in the opening over, off Joshitha VJ, after skipper Kayla Reyneke won the toss and decided to put the runs on the board in the final at the Bayuemas Oval. The 19-year-old left-arm spinner Parunika Sisodia pulled things back by removing Simone Lourens for a duck, giving away just one run in the 2nd over of the innings, after an early onslaught by Jemma Botha.

Diara Ramlakan joined Jemma Botha (16 off 14 balls) at the crease and the latter continued to take the aggressive route before Shabnam Shakil ended her impressive stay at the crease in the fourth over of the innings to provide the 2nd breakthrough for India. Aayushi Shukla cleaned up Diara Ramlakan on the very next delivery to push the Proteas firmly on the back foot, losing their top order inside the powerplay.

Wicket-keeper batter Karabo Meso joined skipper Kayla Reyneke at the crease and the duo took their side closer to the 50-run mark with a much-needed 20-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Gongadi Trisha picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Kayla Reyneke to provide a massive 4th breakthrough for the Niki Prasad-led side. Karabo Meso soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 5th breakthrough for India, and left-arm spinner Aayushi Shukla bagged her 2nd scalp of the day.

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Fay Cowling joined Mieke van Voorst at the crease and the duo stitched another crucial 30-run partnership for the 6th wicket. Gongadi Trisha returned and provided the much-needed breakthrough for her side by removing Mieke van Voorst (23 off 18 balls) in the 18th over of the innings. South Africa were eventually bundled out for 82 in their quota of 20 overs.

Fay Cowling (15 off 20 balls), and wicket-keeper batter Karabo Meso (10 off 26 balls) were the only other batters to enter the double digits for South Africa. Gongadi Trisha flexed her bowling prowess with her impeccable leg-spin and turned out to be the stand-out performer with the ball, returning with exceptional match figures (4-0-15-3) in her potentially match-defining spell with the ball.

Parunika Sisodia (4-0-6-2), Aayushi Shukla (4-2-9-2), and Vaishnavi Sharma (4-0-23-2) picked up a couple of wickets each with the ball, and Shabnam Shakil removed the dangerous Jemma Botha in the powerplay to give India the early advantage with the ball after losing the toss.

Gongadi Trisha and Sanika Chalke power India U19 to title defense

The impressive Indian openers Gongadi Trisha and wicket-keeper batter G Kamalini settled the nerves with another impressive 36-run opening partnership, chasing a total of 83 in the big finale. The pair scored at a rate of around 9 runs an over before the Proteas skipper Kayla Reyneke ended wicket-keeper batter G Kamalini’s stay at the crease to provide the much-needed first breakthrough for her side in the powerplay.

Sanika Chalke (26* off 22 balls) joined Gongadi Trisha (44* off 33 balls) at the crease and the duo powered the Women in Blue home with an unbeaten 48-run partnership for the 2nd wicket to seal the game by 9 wickets and 52 balls to spare. Skipper Kayla Reyneke (4-1-14-1) was the stand-out performer and the only wicket-taker with the ball for South Africa in the final.

Gongadi Trisha clinches the Player of the Tournament and the Final

India’s dynamic all-rounder Gongadi Trisha was awarded the Player of the Match for her blockbuster all-rounder show. She returned with game-changing figures of 4-0-15-3 in her spell which was also her best return for her side adding to that, she also guided her side over the line by staying unbeaten on 44* (33 balls). She was also named the Player of the Tournament for her impactful all-round contributions.

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Gongadi Trisha clinches both the Player of the Tournament and the Final
Gongadi Trisha clinches both the Player of the Tournament and the Final

Trisha topped the run-scoring charts as she amassed 309 runs at a mind-boggling strike rate of 147.14 and an outstanding average of 77.25 in seven innings, playing a pivotal role in helping India defend their inaugural title in the 2nd edition of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025 in Malaysia.

Trisha also became the first woman to score a century in the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, when she took the Scotland bowlers apart en route to her breath-taking knock (110 off 59 balls) in their last league game of the tournament on the 28th of January 2025 (Tuesday). She peppered the boundary ropes 13 times and cracked four maximums in her whirlwind knock, etching her name into the history books, at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur.

Besides her batting exploits, she also picked up 7 wickets at an exceptional average of 6.42 and an outstanding economy of 3.75 in four innings with the ball, displaying her effectiveness as a leg-spinner for India in crucial stages of the tournament.

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