Cricket: India’s Trisha revels in U-19 Women’s W’Cup defence

India’s batting superstar Gongadi Trisha was been named the Player of The Tournament at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup,  delivering a match-winning performance in the final, as India beat South Africa by nine wickets to defend their title in Malaysia on Sunday.

The opener comfortably led the batting stats, scoring 309 runs in seven innings to finish 133 runs clear at the top of the charts.

She also took three wickets for just 15 runs with the ball, as South Africa fell to 82 runs all out, before striking eight boundaries to record 44 runs from 33 balls not out to help India win with 52 balls remaining.

“It means everything,” she said.

“I have no words to say. I would like to dedicate this to my father because he is here. I don’t think I would be here without him.

“I want to play for my country and win more matches. Winning this again is simply superb.”

It capped a brilliant tournament for Trisha, who made the first century in U-19 Women’s World Cup history with 110 not out off 59 balls against Scotland.

The 19-year-old was not done there, also recording the second-best batting average of the tournament, while also hitting the most fours and the second-most sixes.

An all-rounder, Trisha also took nine wickets with her off-breaks, returning best figures of three for six in her record-breaking performance against Scotland.

Nigeria finished sixth at the tournament, despite only being debutants – creating upsets against New Zealand and Ireland in the group stages and Super Six respectively.

The Junior Female Yellow Greens announced Nigeria as a cricketing nation to the world in Malaysia, with captain Piety Lucky leading the team’s charge with the ball, snapping four wickets followed by Peace Usen and Lilian Ude with three wickets each. Anointed Akhigbe and Shola Adekunle also had two wickets each just as Kehinde Amusa, who memorably got the last one in the final over against Ireland sat at one.

Ude led the batting figures with 37 runs, followed by Omosigho Eguakun with 30.

Christable Chukwunoye had the best runs in an innings with 25  against Ireland in their last game, totalling 29 runs for her in three innings.