🏏India vs England, Final - ICC Women's U-19 T20 WC, Potchefstroom 🏏 - Page 3

India are the champions of the inaugural edition of the ICC Under 19 Womens T20 WC. Shafali and the rest of her mates sprint into the middle and go absolute bonkers. Can spot a few teary-eyed girls in the middle. The stumps have been uprooted and the Indian flag is flying high at Potchefstroom

India coach Nooshin Al Khadeer says "this is a moment we've waited for for very long... we have a very good future."

Shafali Verma, their captain, can enjoy an element of atonement, having been part of the senior side which lost the T20 World Cup final to Australia at the MCG in 2020, and plenty of pride after leading her country to victory in Potchefstroom.

Soon as Soumya Tiwari saw the ball sneak past the fielder, she knew that was the moment. Took her helmet off and roared like a hungry Lion. Reigning Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra is in the stadium and he looks absolutely cock-a-hoop. He is seen cheering the Indian girls and is all smiles. India have pretty much won the game in the first half. Having bowled England out for 68, all they needed to do with the bat was play some sensible cricket and keep their calm. They have been absolutely spot-on on both counts. Though Shafali and Shweta got out in quick succession inside the powerplay, Soumya and Trisha stitched 46-run stand for the third wicket to kill the game quite convincingly. Plenty of post-match reactions coming up, stay tuned....

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Titas Sadhu, IND-W

2/6

Nooshin Al Khadeer | Head coach India: Fabulous (the feeling). This is the feeling we have been waiting for very long. This is the first time we won the cup and it has come with the U 19 kids. Just shows the kind of depth we have and what is there for us in the future. The most special thing is the belief. I knew they had a bad game against Australia, but the way they have gathered and played there after, we kept it very simple and we thought we would just play proper and simple cricket and we would achieve this. From the National anthem and till the time we won we had goosebumps. I personally realize and understand how special this is for us. To live it from the young girls it's commendable. We have been waiting very long for a cup. We have a good future back in India. God has been kind and I'm keeping it simple.

The match officials receive their medals from the ICC representative...

Gautam: "What a clinical performance from a young India team! Terrific bowling, fielding, commitment and confidence! Very proud moment! "

Baba Fasi: "What a time to be these young Indian women cricketers. Winning the first womens U19 T20 WC at the start of this year and having a WIPL starting in couple of months."

Titas Sadhu | Player of the Match: It's really surreal. Have been looking forward to this day for a long time. We had a plan in our mind, and thankfully we executed what we planned. The spinners backed up really well. We have played 2 matches and watched all the games that happened here, and had a pretty good idea where to bowl. I want to thank them (fans and supporters back home) with all my heart.

PLAYER OF THE SERIES

Grace Scrivens, ENG-W

293 runs • 9 wkts