India will be keen to extend their dominance on the global stage as they seek to defend their title in the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup here on Saturday.
Grouped in Group A with West Indies, Sri Lanka and hosts Malaysia, India will begin their campaign against the Caribbean side at the Bayomas Oval on Sunday.
India won the previous and inaugural edition of the tournament in South Africa in 2023, beating England by seven wickets in the final.
In the opening day matches, last year’s semi-finalists Australia will face Scotland in Group D, while 2023 runners-up England will face Ireland in Group B.
Other matches on Saturday include Samoa vs Nigeria (Group C), Bangladesh vs Nepal (Group D), Pakistan vs United States (Group B) and New Zealand vs South Africa (Group C).
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There are 16 teams participating in this competition, divided into four groups, and the top three teams in each group advance to the Super Six stage.
From that point on, the top two teams in each Super Six group will advance to the semi-finals, culminating in a climax showdown on February 2.
Shafali Verma-led India’s victory over England in the 2023 South Africa final marked a historic moment for women’s cricket in the age group.
Shafali leads by example, while the Nooshin Al Khadeer-coached side also boasts current India senior players Titas Sadhu, Shweta Sehrawat and spin trio Mannar Mannat Kashyap, Parshavi Chopra and Archana Devi.
With the ODI World Cup taking place at home later this year, the Niki Prasad-led side will be keen to seize the opportunity and make the jump to the senior side.
One of the promising players is Hyderabad’s Trisha G, whose top-notch aggression led India to victory in the U-19 Asia Cup last month.
Trisha also became a member of the team two years ago and is ready to perform even better on the world stage.
The team also boasts a lethal left-arm spin attack that includes Parunika Sisodia, Sonam Yadav and Aayushi Shukla – who They were all key players in last year’s Asian Cup victory.
India will face strong challenges from England, Australia and South Africa.
Samoa will make their ICC tournament debut this time, joining Nigeria, Nepal and Malaysia in their inaugural U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
indian team
Niki Prasad (captain), Sanika Chalke (vice-captain), G Trisha, Kamalini G (WK), Bhavika Ahire (WK), Ishwari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodiya, Kesari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, MD Shabnam, Vaishnavi S; Subs: Nandhana S, Ira J and Anadi T.
group
Group A: India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, West Indies; Group B: England, Ireland, Pakistan, United States; Group C: New Zealand, Nigeria, Samoa, South Africa; Group D: Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Scotland.
