India’s next generation cricketers, who are trying to maintain their dominance at the world level, will aim to retain the title when they enter the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup starting here from Saturday. India have been placed in Group A along with West Indies, Sri Lanka and hosts Malaysia. The Indian team will play its first match against West Indies on Sunday.
India won the first World Cup held in South Africa in 2023, defeating England by seven wickets in the final. On the first day, Australia, who played the semi-finals last time, will face Scotland in Group D while 2023 runners-up England will face Ireland.
In other matches on Sunday, Samoa will face Nigeria in Group C, Bangladesh will face Nepal in Group D, Pakistan will face America in Group B and New Zealand will face South Africa in Group C.
In the tournament, 16 teams are divided into four groups of four each and the top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six. From there the top two teams will go to the semi-finals and the final will be held on February 2.
India won this tournament in South Africa in 2023 under the captaincy of Shefali Verma. That team had players like Titas Sadhu, Shweta Sehrawat, Parshvi Chopra and Archana Devi who are playing at the senior level.
In view of the ODI World Cup to be held in India this year, the team captained by Nikki Prasad will try its best to capitalize on this opportunity. Prominent players include Hyderabad’s Trisha ji, who laid the foundation of India’s victory in the Under-19 World Cup last month with her brilliant performance at the top.
Apart from them, spinners Parunika Sisodia, Sonam Yadav and Ayushi Shukla are also in the team.
Indian team:
Nikki Prasad (captain), Sanika Chalke, G Trisha, Kamalini G, Bhavika Ahire, Ishwari Avasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshita VJ, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodia, Kesari Driti, Ayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishore, MD Shabnam, Vaishnavi S,
Standby: Nandana S, Ira J and Anadi T