U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup – India’s young cricketers are excited to continue their strong performance on the world stage as they aim to defend their title in the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, starting in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. India is in Group A with the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and host team Malaysia.
India’s Ambition to Defend Their Title in the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup
They will begin their campaign against the West Indies at Bayuemas Oval on Sunday. India won the previous edition of the tournament, which was also the first one, in South Africa in 2023, beating England by seven wickets in the final.
The opening day of the tournament will feature Australia, last year’s semi-finalists, facing Scotland in Group D, while the 2023 runners-up England will take on Ireland in Group B.
Other matches on Saturday include Samoa vs Nigeria (Group C), Bangladesh vs Nepal (Group D), Pakistan vs the United States (Group B), and New Zealand vs South Africa (Group C).
The tournament, which has 16 teams, is divided into four groups. The top three teams from each group will move on to the Super Six stage.
U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup: Matches to Watch in the Opening Days
The top two teams from each Super Six group will progress to the semi-finals, with the final match scheduled for February 2.
India’s historic victory over England in the 2023 final in South Africa, led by Shafali Verma, marked a significant milestone for age-group women’s cricket.
Shafali led by example, while the team, coached by Nooshin Al Khadeer, featured key players like Titas Sadhu, Shweta Sehrawat, and the spin trio of Mannat Kashyap, Parshavi Chopra, and Archana Devi.
With the ODI World Cup set to be held in India later this year, the Niki Prasad-led squad is eager to seize the opportunity and advance to the senior team.
One standout player is Hyderabad’s Trisha G, whose aggressive top-order batting played a key role in India’s victory in the U-19 Asia Cup last month. Having been part of the squad two years ago, Trisha is expected to deliver an even stronger performance on the world stage.
The team also features a formidable left-arm orthodox spin attack with Parunika Sisodia, Sonam Yadav, and Aayushi Shukla, all of whom played crucial roles in India’s successful Asia Cup campaign last year.
India will face tough competition from England, Australia, and South Africa in the tournament.
Read More
This edition will also feature Samoa making their ICC tournament debut, along with Nigeria, Nepal, and Malaysia, all participating in their first U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
India’s Squad for the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup: Meet the Players:
Niki Prasad (Captain), Sanika Chalke (Vice-captain), G Trisha, Kamalini G (WK), Bhavika Ahire (WK), Ishwari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodiya, Kesari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, MD Shabnam, Vaishnavi S
Standby players: Nandhana S, Ira J, and Anadi T.
The Groups
Group A: India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, West Indies;
Group B: England, Ireland, Pakistan, United States;
Group C: New Zealand, Nigeria, Samoa, South Africa;
Group D: Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Scotland.
ALSO READ: WPL 2025 Schedule: Complete List of Matches, Venues, And Teams
