Niki Prasad-led India beat South Africa in the ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025 final by nine wickets to script history in Kuala Lumpur on February 2. India won the title for the second consecutive time with a dominant performance against the South Africans. All-rounder Gongadi Trisha starred in the final with three wickets for 15 runs followed by an unbeaten 44-run knock. Trisha was also part of India's title win in the previous edition.
Early wickets push South Africa on back foot
Earlier, South Africa captain Kayla Reyneke won the toss and opted to bat first. Jemma Botha got her team off to a positive start with two consecutive fours in the first over bowled by Joshitha VJ. In the fourth over, Shabnam Shakil was introduced into the attack and she ended Botha's stay at the crease. The opener scored 16 runs from 14 balls. Aayushi Shukla capitalised on the pressure created by opening bowlers and dismissed Diara Ramlakan with the first ball she bowled. South Africa were 29/3 after powerplay overs.
Indian bowlers dominate in middle overs
Karabo Meso and Reyneke struggled to rotate strike in the middle overs. No boundaries were scored for five overs. Trisha ended captain Reyneke's stay at the crease in the 12th over. She scored just seven runs from 21 balls. Then left-arm spinner Shukla dismissed Meso who scored 10 runs from 26 balls. South Africa found themselves 44/5 in the 13th over.
Mieke van Voorst pushed the scoring rate with her 18-ball 23. Trisha struck twice in 18th over to dismiss Voorst and Seshnie Naidu. In the penultimate over, Fay Cowling hit the first six of the innings. Vaishnavi Sharma came back well as she knocked over Cowling and Monalisa Legodi. Only one run was scored in last over bowled by Parunika Sisodia. South Africa were bowled out for 82 in 20 overs.
Trisha leads India home
In the run chase, Trisha got India off to a good start with a flurry of boundaries. In the fourth over, she hit Naidu for three fours. India were 36 for no loss after four overs. Skipper Reyneke broke the partnership with G Kamalini's wicket in the fifth over. She scored eight runs from 13 balls. India were 44/1 after powerplay overs. Saina Chalke and Trisha continued to find boundaries to prevent an anti-climax. In the 12th over, Chalke finished the run chase with a boundary. India won by nine wickets with 52 balls to spare. The opener remained unbeaten for 44 off 33 balls including eight fours. On the striker's end, Chalke remained unbeaten for 22-ball 26.