U-19 Women's T20 WC: India lift first ever title in women's cricket as Shafali Verma and co. create history

The U-19 Women's team of India on Sunday created history as they went on to clinch the first-ever World Cup for India in Women's cricket. Shafali Verma's India thrashed the England side in the final of the U-19 World Cup in Potchefstroom by 7 wickets. The Indian bowlers were on song as they first bowled England out for 68 at Senwes Park.

It was a historic outing for the Girls in Blue. Indian women's team, which is a reputable force in World Cricket was a little short of the elusive World Cup at any level. But the girls had different thoughts at Senwes Park. They were dominant right from the word go and never looked back. After deciding to bowl first, the Indian women were on fire. They jolted a strong English batting lineup as Titas Sadhu found the first breakthrough. Archana Devi then took two wickets in an over to send shockwaves into the English camp. 

This was followed by some brilliant fielding as the other bowlers also chipped in to bowl England out for just 68. Chasing 69, Shafali started with a boundary off Hannah Baker before



launching Sophia Smale for a maximum. But Baker came back to get rid of the India skipper, who was caught by Alexa Stonehouse in the 3rd over.

Her opening and team's best batter in the tournament, Shweta Sehrawat, also was back in the hut after giving a simple catch to Baker off Grace Scrivens in the fourth over. Soumya Tiwari (24 not out) and Gongadi Trisha (24) then dug their heels in with a 46-run partnership. With four runs needed, Trisha was cleaned up by Stonehouse, as Tiwari knocked off the winning runs. Besides Shafali, Richa Ghosh was the other international cricketer in the U-19 squad.

India's Playing XI:

Shafali Verma(c), Shweta Sehrawat, Soumya Tiwari, Gongadi Trisha, Richa Ghosh(w), Hrishita Basu, Titas Sadhu, Mannat Kashyap, Archana Devi, Parshavi Chopra, Sonam Yadav

England's Playing XI:

Grace Scrivens(c), Liberty Heap, Niamh Fiona Holland, Seren Smale(w), Ryana Macdonald Gay, Charis Pavely, Alexa Stonehouse, Sophia Smale, Josie Groves, Ellie Anderson, Hannah Baker