Cricket is often a game of history and legacy, and the India U19 women’s team has etched its name in golden letters by successfully defending their ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup title in 2025.
The Niki Prasad led team had a dominant run throughout the tournament and they were well guided by the former Indian cricketer, Nooshin Al Khadeer. This triumph followed their maiden title win in 2023, making them the undisputed powerhouse of U19 women’s cricket.
A Commanding Group Stage Performance
The defending champions announced their arrival in the 2025 edition with a ruthless nine-wicket victory over West Indies. Joshitha VJ (2/5) set the tone with a dream spell, striking twice in successive deliveries to dismiss opposition captain Samara Ramnath and Naijanni Cumberbatch. She ended up as the ‘Player of the Match’ for her heroics, while Parunika Sisodia (3/7) also bagged three wickets. Chasing a modest target of 47, India lost Gondagi Trisha early, but G Kamalini (16* off 13) and Sanika Chalke (18* off 11) calmly steered their team to victory in just 4.2 overs.
India’s next encounter against Malaysia was even more dominant. Opting to bowl first, debutant left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma ran riot, registering record-breaking figures of 5/5, including a hat-trick—the best-ever bowling performance in U19 Women’s T20 World Cup history. She was ably supported by Aayushi Sharma (3/8) and Joshitha VJ (1/5) as Malaysia crumbled for just 31 runs in 14.3 overs. The openers then made light work of the chase, wrapping up a commanding 10-wicket win.
Against Sri Lanka, India continued their unbeaten streak, securing a 60-run win to top Group A. Despite losing wickets at the other end, Gongadi Trisha played a fluent knock of 49 off 44 balls, helping India post a competitive total. The bowling unit once again stepped up, reducing Sri Lanka to 9/4 within the first four overs, courtesy of fiery spells from Shabnam Shakil (2/9), Parunika Sisodia (2/7) and Joshitha VJ (2/17). While Sri Lanka’s lower order ensured they batted the full 20 overs, they could only manage 58/9, confirming India’s place in the Super Six as group winners.
India U19 Super Six Dominance
India continued their winning momentum in the Super Six stage, starting with an emphatic eight-wicket triumph over Bangladesh. G Trisha led the chase with a solid 40 off 31 balls as India comfortably overhauled a 65-run target in just 7.1 overs. Earlier, Vaishnavi Sharma (3/15) had been the pick of the bowlers, grabbing three wickets to restrict Bangladesh to 64/8.
Then came a monumental moment in the tournament against Scotland. Gongadi Trisha produced a batting masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 110 off just 59 deliveries—the first-ever century in U19 Women’s T20 World Cup history. Her innings, laced with 13 fours and four sixes, propelled India to a massive 208/1. The bowlers then made sure Scotland never stood a chance. Aayushi Shukla (4/8) and Vaishnavi Sharma (3/5) ripped through the top order, before Trisha capped off her dream outing with three wickets (3/6), bundling Scotland out for 58 and securing a staggering 150-run victory.
A Thrilling Semi-Final Against England
India’s quest for back-to-back titles faced a crucial test in the semi-final against England, a rematch of the 2023 final. The spin attack once again proved lethal, restricting England to 113, with Parunika Sisodia shining with figures of 3/21. Aayushi Shukla provided solid support, taking 2/21. Chasing 114, openers G Kamalini and Gongadi Trisha laid a strong foundation, putting up 44 runs in the powerplay. Despite losing Trisha to Phoebe Brett, Kamalini ensured no hiccups, anchoring the innings with a steady 56* off 50 balls. India cruised to victory by nine wickets, setting up a final clash against South Africa.
A Spectacular Title Defence in the Final
In the grand finale, South Africa, after electing to bat first, struggled against India’s relentless bowling attack. Trisha (3/15) once again made an impact, scalping three crucial wickets, while Aayushi Shukla starred with an exceptional 2/9, including two maidens. Parunika Sisodia (2/6), Vaishnavi Sharma (2/23), and Shabnam (1/7) chipped in with crucial breakthroughs as South Africa posted a modest total.
India’s chase started with fireworks as they raced to 18/0 in just two overs. Though Kayla Reyneke managed to dismiss Kamalini G, Trisha remained unstoppable. She carried her superb form into the final, scoring a match-winning 44* off 33 balls, including eight boundaries. Sanika Chalke (26 off 22) provided solid support as India secured a dominant nine-wicket win, cementing their status as back-to-back champions.
Gongadi Trisha’s all-round brilliance earned her the ‘Player of the Match’ award, while she was also crowned ‘Player of the Tournament’ for her 309-run tally and seven wickets. Vaishnavi Sharma, with 17 wickets from six matches, finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, her best performance being a record 5/5 against Malaysia.
India’s Maiden Triumph in 2023: The Beginning of an Era
India’s dominance in U19 women’s cricket began in 2023 when they clinched the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. Also, under the guidance of Nooshin Al Khadeer, that team ended India’s long wait for a women’s World Cup title.
Their campaign started on a high note with a convincing seven-wicket win against South Africa, followed by an emphatic 122-run victory over the UAE and an 83-run triumph against Scotland. The only blemish came in the form of a seven-wicket loss to Australia—India’s only defeat in both editions combined. However, they bounced back with a seven-wicket win in their final Super Six game to enter the semi-finals.
Against New Zealand in the semis, India put in a dominant performance, winning by eight wickets. The final against England was a masterclass in all-round cricket. A disciplined bowling effort, led by Titas Sadhu’s sensational 2/6, restricted England to a low total. India’s chase was clinical, ensuring they lifted the trophy in Potchefstroom.
Shweta Sehrawat was the standout batter of the 2023 edition, topping the charts with 297 runs at an astounding average of 99, with a highest score of 92 off 57 balls against South Africa. Parshavi Chopra was India’s leading bowler and the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 11 wickets from six matches, including the best of 4/5.
India’s Unparalleled Legacy in U19 Women’s Cricket
With back-to-back ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup titles, India has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in youth cricket. Their dominance, built on strong batting performances, world-class spinners, and a winning mindset, sets a benchmark for future generations. From their historic triumph in 2023 to their commanding title defence in 2025, this Indian team has rewritten the record books, proving that they are here to rule for years to come.
Loves all things female cricket
