Shafali Verma's Teens in Blue scripted history as they defeated England by seven wickets in the final to clinch the inaugural Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup title on Sunday (January 29). Star all-rounder Parshavi Chopra played a pivotal role in making India the World champions which also ended India women's drought of winning ICC trophy. Parshavi also ended up being India's leading wicket-take in their Women's U-19 T20 World Cup triumph. Leg-break bowler Parshavi finished the tournament with 11 scalps from six matches. Parshavi returned with figures of 2/13 in the final against England in the summit clash.
Meanwhile, Parshavi's father Gaurav couldn't be more proud on his daughter who made the entire country proud with her splendid performance in South Africa.
"It's a historic win and we are really happy that our girls team made us and the entire country proud by winning the first-ever U-19 T20 World Cup. I am happy that my daughter is a part of that win and performed wel," Parshavi's father, who struggled to hide tears of joy said.
"Cricket is in our DNA. (But) it is the first step towards success, she (Parshavi) has to go a long way. Age is no bar for learning but we are feeling proud today that our daughter is known in the world."
Parshavi's mother Sheetal added: "She has made the entire family proud. She is the only girl child in the family but she overtook all.
"Expectations rose but we were happy that she took two wickets and India played well and fielded very well."
Parshvi's family rejoiced and danced to the tune of drums in their ancestral home to celebrate India's thumping victory in the final.
Talking about the match, India first bundled out England for 68 in 17.1 overs and then returned to knock off the paltry target in 14 overs to lift the coveted trophy. The win on Sunday also reaffirms India's dominance at the U-19 level with the boys winning the world title in the Caribbean last year.
India's bowling attack, led by pacer Titas Sadhu and supported by leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra, set up the comprehensive win on Sunday as they blew England away with a clinical display at Senwes Park. While Sadhu showed that Indian women pace bowling is in safe hands following the retirement of Jhulan Goswami with impressive figures of 4-0-6-2, Chopra too continued her dream run as she snapped two for 13.
Archana Devi also scalped 2 for 17, while Mannat Kashyap (1/13), Shafali(1/16) and Sonam Yadav (1/3) accounted for one wicket each as England were all at sea after being asked to take first strike.