Reigning champions India kicked off their ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup defence with a commanding nine-wicket victory over the West Indies in Kuala Lumpur. This victory marked a strong start for India and showcased their intent to retain the title.
Match Summary
West Indies Batting Collapse: Having been put into bat first, the West Indies struggled to find their footing right from the outset. Indian bowler VJ Joshitha set the tone for the match, successfully trapping West Indies captain Samara Ramnath lbw, which sent an early shock through the batting lineup. This was quickly followed by a remarkable display from Sanika Chalke, who took a stunning catch, granting her two wickets in consecutive deliveries.
The pressure mounted on the West Indies, who plummeted to 17 runs for the loss of four wickets. Brianna Harricharan’s dismissal contributed to the dismal scoreline, as she was one of five players to register a duck in the innings.
Kenika Cassar managed to post the highest score of the innings with a mere 15 runs, though her resistance was short-lived as Parunika Sisodia claimed her as one of her three wickets. Ultimately, the West Indies were bowled out for a paltry total of 44 runs in just 13.2 overs, illustrating the effectiveness of India’s bowling attack.
India’s Swift Chase: In response, India wasted no time pursuing their target. The opening over proved to be eventful, tallying 16 runs despite the early dismissal of Gongadi Trisha, who fell immediately after striking the first boundary.
G Kamalini and Sanika Chalke formed a formidable partnership, accumulating an impressive 43-run second-wicket stand that propelled India to victory. India reached their target in a mere 4.2 overs, sealing the win decisively with nine wickets in hand.
This emphatic victory sets the tone for India’s campaign in the tournament and serves as a stark reminder of their prowess in the shortest format of the game. The team’s combination of disciplined bowling and aggressive batting demonstrates their readiness to challenge for the title again.
Scores in Brief
Match: India vs West Indies
Venue: Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
West Indies: 44 all out in 13.2 overs
- Kenika Cassar: 15
- Asabi Callender: 12
- Bowling:
- Parunika Sisodia: 3/7
- VJ Joshitha: 2/5
India: 47/1 in 4.2 overs
- Sanika Chalke: 18
- G Kamalini: 16
- Bowling:
- Jahzara Claxton: 1/18
Result: India won by nine wickets.
