About 15 and a half years ago, under the leadership of new captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Johannesburg, South Africa, India created history by winning the T20 World Cup title for the first time. After 15 and a half years in the same country, about 120 kilometers away, under the leadership of another new captain Shefali Verma, the girls of India repeated that history. India created history by defeating England in the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup being held for the first time. In the final played in Potchefstroom on Sunday, January 29, India won the title with a strong victory by 7 wickets. Along with this, the first World Cup in the history of women’s cricket also came in India’s bag.
Saumya-Trisha won
The performance of the bowlers had ensured the victory of Team India to a great extent, but still it was necessary to reach the victory. Although the beginning of Team India was not good in this runchage. Captain Shefali Verma and Shweta Sehrawat, who scored the most runs in the tournament, returned to the pavilion for just 20 runs. In such a situation, there was a danger that the Indian team might also falter like England.
Under the captaincy of Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s senior women’s teams had to face the pain of defeat in the World Cup final thrice. The last disappointment in this was found in the 2020 T20 World Cup. Shefali Verma was also a part of that team. This was his first World Cup and then he was not even 16 years old. About three years after that defeat, Shefali not only made up for the loss she got at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but also made up for the pain of her seniors.
Bowlers laid the foundation of victory
Indian captain Shafali had won the toss in Potchefstroom and decided to bowl first. Titas Sadhu took the wicket on the fourth ball of the first over, proving this decision right. Then in the fourth over, spinner Archana Devi got the second wicket. The series of wickets started from here and till the last ball of the 10th over, India took 5 wickets for just 39 runs. In this, Titas took two wickets for 6 runs in 4 overs, while Archana also took two wickets.
Not only India’s bowling, but its fielding also deserved to win. First G Trisha and then Archana took two amazing catches, while Saumya Tiwari got run out on a direct hit. Overall, the entire English team was bundled out for 68 runs in just 17.1 overs.
Saumya Tiwari (24) and G Trisha (24) did not let this happen. Both handled the innings and sealed the victory with a partnership of 46 runs. Trisha got out just 3 runs before the victory, but Soumya ensured the victory and on the last ball of the 14th over, India achieved the distinction of becoming the world champion by creating history with one run.
