The Indian Under 19 women team created history as they became the inaugural champions of the T20 World Cup defeating England in a one-sided final played on 29 January 2023. Shafali Verma’s lead side dominated the Group Stage finishing top.
They suffered their only loss to Australia in Super Six before winning against Sri Lanka to finish top as the points from the Group stage carried. It was a dominating performance by the Indian Under 19 women side in the semi-finals against New Zealand and finals against England to become World Champions.
There were some outstanding performances by the Indian women’s side that kept the momentum going for them. It was a historic moment as BCCI announced Rs 5 Crore for players and support. This was India’s first title on the Women’s front as they lost the finals in 2005 and 2017. They also reached the finals of the T20 World Cup 2020.
Here we look at the Top 3 performers for the Indian Under 19 Women team:
- Shweta Seharwat
Shweta Seharwat finished as the 2nd leading run-getter in the tournament. She scored 297 runs from 7 matches and helped Team India provide brilliant starts. The opener began the tournament with an unbeaten 92 off 57 against South Africa and grabbed the player of the match award.
She followed with an unbeaten 74 off 49 balls against the United Arab Emirates the Indian team posted a massive total of 219 for 3. In the final Group match against Scotland, Shweta came at number 6 and hit a quickfire 31 off 10 balls.
The first Super Six match against Australia saw the Indian team being bundled out for just 87. Shweta was the top scorer with 21 runs. She just made 13 runs in the Super Six match against Sri Lanka but the Indian team won the match easily.
Chasing down 108 runs in the semi-finals against New Zealand, Shweta Seharwat remained unbeaten on 61 off 45 balls and hit the winning runs. She was dismissed in a single-digit score against England in the finals.
- Parshavi Chopra
The leg spinner Parshavi Chopra finished as the leading wicket-taker for the Indian team in this tournament. She began the tournament with 1 for 15 against South Africa, followed by 1 for 13 against the United Arab Emirates, and did not feature in playing XI against Scotland.
Parshavi Chopra did not pick any wickets in the Super Six match against Australia. She was at her lethal best against Sri Lanka with 4 for 5 in 4 overs and was named player of the match for her brilliant spell.
Chopra picked up 3 for 20 in her 4 overs during the semi-finals against New Zealand. She was named the player of the match award. She stood out once again with 2 for 13 in the finals against England.
- Shafali Verma
Shafali Verma had a decent tournament with both bat and ball. With the bat, she made 178 runs from 7 matches. Chasing down 167 runs to win against South Africa, Shafali Verma blasted away with 45 off 19 balls with 9 fours and 1 six. She performed brilliantly with the ball picking up 2 for 31 in 4 overs.
Shafali scored a brilliant 78 off 34 balls against the United Arab Emirates which helped the Indian team post a massive total. She did not pick any wickets with the ball. She scored just 1 run in the final Group match against Scotland.
She struggled against Australia in the first Super Six match dismissed cheaply. Chasing down 60 runs against Sri Lanka, Shafali Verma hit quickfire runs.
With the ball, Shafali Verma gave away just 7 runs in her 4 overs and picked up 1 wicket. She made just 10 runs in the semi-finals against New Zealand. Chasing paltry total in the finals against England, Shafali Verma provided a decent start before being dismissed.
All these 3 Indian players have been named in the ICC Team of the tournament.
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