Pace sensation Titas Sadhu, leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra dish out a superlative performance
Potchefstroom, South Africa: India on Sunday, Jan 29, won their maiden ICC title in women’s cricket and lifted the inaugural U-19 World Cup with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over England, a PTI report in The Tribune, Chandigarh, says.
With Shafali Verma leading the team, this sprightly and talented bunch of teenagers managed to do what their seniors could not do by clearing the final hurdle in a global event.
The Indian first bundled out England for 68 in 17.1 overs and then wrapped up the match with a flourish, overtaking the paltry target in 14 overs to lift the coveted trophy.
“It is just a proud moment, it’s our first world cup,” said Trisha with stumps in hand after the memorable win.
The win on Sunday also reaffirms India’s dominance at the U-19 level with the boys winning the world title in the Caribbean last year.
India’s bowling attack, led by pacer Titas Sadhu and supported by leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra, set up the comprehensive win as they blew away England with a clinical display at Senwes Park.
Sadhu showed that Indian women pace bowling is in safe hands following the retirement of Jhulan Goswami with impressive figures of 4-0-6-2. Chopra too continued her dream run as she snapped two for 13.
Archana Devi also scalped 2 for 17, while Mannat Kashyap (1/13), Shafali(1/16) and Sonam Yadav (1/3) accounted for one wicket each as England were all at sea after being asked to take first strike.
Following a pep talk from India’s Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, India came out with a specific plan and executed it perfectly as England’s innings never really took off after being reduced to 16 for three in four overs.
Chasing 69, Shafali started with a boundary off Hannah Baker before launching Sophia Smale for a six. But Baker later got rid of the India skipper, who was caught by Alexa Stonehouse in the 3rd over.
Soumya Tiwari (24 not out) and Gongadi Trisha (24) then dugin their heels iwith a 46-run partnership.
With four runs needed, Trisha was cleaned up by Stonehouse, leaving Tiwari to sore the winning runs
Besides Shafali, Richa Ghosh was the other international cricketer in the U-19 squad.
Earlier, struck in the fourth ball of the innings with a superb caught and bowled effort to get rid of Liberty Heap (0).
Spinner Archana then cleaned up Niamh Fiona Holland (10), while Gongadi Trisha pulled off a sensational catch to get rid of Grace Scrivens (4) to hand Archana her second wicket.
Macdonald Gay played a couple of hits to the fence to ease the pressure but in-form leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra then got into the act, trapping Charis Pavely (2) leg before as England lost half their side for 39 in 10 overs.
With England at 46 for 6 in 12 overs, skipper Shafali brought herself in but Alexa Stonehouse hit her for a rare boundary.
Soumya was then in action as her direct hit found Josephine Groves short by a big margin, leaving England at 53 for 7.
Shafali and Richa then combined to pile further misery on England with the latter producing a stumping effort. Kashyap then removed Stonehouse with Sonam taking a dolly at cover.
BCCI announces Rs 5-crore reward
BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Sunday announced a whopping cash reward of Rs 5 crore for the entire India squad following its title winning performance at the inaugural Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup.
“Women’s Cricket in India is on the upswing and the World Cup triumph has taken the stature of women’s cricket several notches higher. I am delighted to announce INR 5 crore for the entire team and support staff as prize money. This is surely a path-breaking year,” Shah tweeted after India’s triumph.
The secretary also invited the entire unit to Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
“I invite @TheShafaliVerma and her victorious team to join us at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad and witness the third T20I on 1st February. This humongous achievement surely calls for a celebration,” he added.
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