India’s U19 Women’s cricket team has made history by defeating South Africa in the 2025 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, clinching an impressive back-to-back title. This victory highlights their unwavering resilience, exceptional skill, and determination. Below is a look at the journey of past champions and runners-up in the ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup, from its inaugural 2023 tournament to the 2025 edition.
The ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup is an international cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The inaugural edition took place in January 2023 in South Africa, having been delayed from its original 2021 schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Played in the T20 format, the competition serves as a significant milestone in women’s cricket, providing young players an invaluable platform to showcase their talent on a global stage.
Following its successful debut, the 2025 edition was hosted in Malaysia, with 16 teams competing across four groups. The top three teams from each group advanced to the Super Six round, with the best two from each group progressing to the semi-finals. This structure promotes a highly competitive environment for emerging cricket stars. The third edition of the tournament is scheduled for 2027.
India breezed to victory in Kuala Lumpur, chasing down South Africa’s total of 82 in just 11.2 overs. Gongadi Trisha was the star performer, first taking 3 wickets for 15 runs with the ball and then scoring an unbeaten 44 off 33 balls to lead the chase.
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first, but they quickly found themselves in trouble, slipping to 20-3 during the powerplay. India’s spinners dominated, and wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving the Proteas struggling to build any momentum. They were eventually bowled out on the final ball of their innings.
India, on the other hand, faced no such difficulties. Trisha’s aggressive batting quickly put them on course, with a series of early boundaries setting the tone. The 19-year-old has already established herself as a future star, finishing as the tournament’s top run-scorer with 309 runs across seven matches, 133 runs ahead of England’s Davina Perrin in second place.
Sanika Chalke sealed the victory with a boundary two balls into the 12th over, sparking celebrations for India, who also won the inaugural tournament in 2023.
A historic two-peat
— ICC (@ICC) February 2, 2025
India keep a hold on the #U19WorldCup: https://t.co/wr6BNzPTB1 pic.twitter.com/WtsV78RRFw
