An utterly dominant India flaunted their embarrassment of riches to win a second successive U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup title with a nine-wicket shellacking of South Africa in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, the triumph giving a peek into the game’s most perfectly calibrated youth structure. Having outclassed every team during their march to the final, India asserted themselves yet again, getting the job done with as many as 52 balls to spare and became the first team to win the tournament without dropping a single game.

The biggest star of the day was all-rounder Gongadi Trisha, who followed up her excellent 3/15 with an unbeaten 33-ball 44 while batting.

South Africa, led by Kayla Reyneke, opted to bowl first, but their decision backfired quickly as India’s three-pronged spin attack bowled them out for 82.

Left-arm spinner Aayushi Shukla was the star of the show with figures of 4-2-9-2, while leg-spinner Trisha, who has also been a revelation with the bat, further underlined her all-round capabilities with her triple strikes with the ball.

Trisha once again anchored India’s chase with an unbeaten knock that was studded with eight fours.

Vice-captain Sanika Chalke (26 not out; 22 balls, 4×4) sealed the victory with a powerful heave to the square-leg boundary, forcing the young Indian players, draped in the Tricolour, to break into wild celebrations.

“I’ve dreamt of this moment for the past two years, and I can’t believe I hit the winning runs — it’s truly surreal. My teammates’ support made all the difference, and this moment is one I’ll cherish forever,” said Sanika after the match.

Left-arm spinner Parunika (4-0-6-2) provided India with an immediate breakthrough, dismissing opener Simone Lourens for a duck as South Africa struggled from the outset.

Right-arm seamer Shabnam Shakil (2-0-7-1) then removed the dangerous Jemma Botha, reducing South Africa to 20/2 by the end of the fourth over.

The pressure intensified when Aayushi bowled Diara Ramlakan, further denting South Africa’s innings.

At the halfway mark, South Africa were struggling at 33/3, unable to gain any momentum.

Captain Kayla Reyneke (7) tried to stabilise the innings but fell to Trisha, who later stumped Mieke van Voorst (23) to break a promising 30-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Their skipper attempted to break free but perished while trying to go big, holing out to Trisha at long-off.

Despite Fay Cowling (15; 20 balls) and Mieke van Voorst putting up a small resistance, South Africa’s struggles continued.

The duo tried to rebuild but with just four overs remaining, South Africa were precariously placed at 58/5.

Trisha’s breakthrough then triggered a collapse and they were eventually bowled out in the final delivery of their innings.

India got off to a strong start in their chase, scoring briskly with a steady flow of singles and boundaries.

Trisha was once again the aggressor with her exquisite strokes, while Kamalini G also chipped in.

The opening partnership was moving smoothly until Kamalini was dismissed for 8, caught by Simone Lourens off Kayla Reyneke’s bowling, leaving India at 36/1 in 4.3 overs.

Sanika faced a few dot balls before settling in as South Africa’s wayward bowling and fielding also helped India’s cause.

Trisha , on the other hand, continued to exude confidence, accumulating runs with a mix of singles and boundaries.

The steady flow of runs kept the momentum high, as India reached 71/1 at the halfway mark of their innings.

The defending champions enjoyed a flawless campaign, winning all their group-stage matches against the West Indies, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.

Their winning momentum continued in the Super Six stage with victories over Bangladesh and Scotland.

In the semi-final, India delivered a commanding performance against England to extend their unbeaten run to six matches. 

India Women vs South Africa Women U-19 LIVE Updates© X (Twitter)

India vs South Africa, Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Final Live Streaming: After a flawless run in the entire tournament, India are all set to square off against South Africa in the final match of the Women’s U19 T20 World Cup on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur. Unbeaten so far in the tournament, a dominant India will start as overwhelming favourites to win their second consecutive title. The Niki Prasad-led side has been in red-hot form across departments. India registered dominating wins over the West Indies (9 wickets), Malaysia (10 wickets), Sri Lanka (60 runs), Bangladesh (8 wickets), Scotland (150 runs) and England (9 wickets in the semifinal).

When will the India vs South Africa, Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Final match take place?

The India vs South Africa, Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Final match will take place on Sunday, February 2 (IST).

Where will the India vs South Africa, Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Final match be held?

The India vs South Africa, Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Final match will be held at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur.

What time will the India vs South Africa, Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Final match start?

The India vs South Africa, Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Final match will start at 11:30 AM IST. The toss will take place at 12:00 PM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the India vs South Africa, Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Final match?

The India vs South Africa, Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Final match will be televised live on the Star Sports network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the India vs South Africa, Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Final match?

The India vs South Africa, Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Final match will be live streamed on the Disney+Hotstar app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

Unbeaten so far in the tournament, a dominant India will start as overwhelming favourites to win their second consecutive title when they take on South Africa in the final of the Women’s U19 T20 World Cup here on Sunday. India have had a flawless campaign so far, winning all their six matches in the tournament. The Niki Prasad-led side has been in red-hot form across departments. India registered dominating wins over the West Indies (9 wickets), Malaysia (10 wickets), Sri Lanka (60 runs), Bangladesh (8 wickets), Scotland (150 runs) and England (9 wickets in the semifinal).

In-from opener Gongadi Trisha has been in ominous form with the bat, and is the highest run-getter in the tournament with 265 runs in six innings at an average of 66.25. She is followed by her left-handed opening partner G Kamalini, who is third in the list with 135 runs in six innings at an average of 45.

But the worrying factor for India would be the lack of time and opportunity at the crease for the middle-order, as most of the runs have been scored by the openers.

On the bowling front too, the Indians are ruling the roost, with the slow left-arm orthodox duo of Vaishnavi Sharma and Aayushi Shukla occupying the top spots on the wicket-takers’ list.

While Vaishnavi is leading with 15 scalps at an average of 3.40, her team-mate Aayushi has picked up 12 wickets in the competition so far at an average of 5.91.

The duo is expected to play a crucial role in the final as well on the slow, turning wickets here.

South Africa, on the other hand, qualified for their first-ever ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup final following an impressive five-wicket win over Australia in the semifinal and will be looking to upset the Indians en route to the title.

Squads:

India: Niki Prasad (c), Sanika Chalke, G Trisha, Kamalini G, Bhavika Ahire, Ishwari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodiya, Kesari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, MD Shabnam, Vaishnavi S.

South Africa: Simone Lourens, Karabo Meso, Kayla Reyneke (c), Jemma Botha, Seshnie Naidu, Diara Ramlakan, Monalisa Legodi, Nthabiseng Nini, Fay Cowling, Jae-Leigh Filander, Luyanda Nzuza, D van Rensburg, Mieke van Voorst, Ashleigh van Wyk, Chanel Venter.

Match starts at 12:00 PM IST.

Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka have been rested from South Africa’s three T20I matches against England, starting from November 24. The duo though will be back for the ODI leg of the multi-format series. Apart from the duo, Mieke de Ridder is also not a part of the T20I series, while young leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu will be completing her matric exams and would be aiming to represent South Africa in the 2025 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.

In their absence, all-rounders Eliz-Mari Marx and Nondumiso Shangase find themselves in the T20I team, while Faye Tunnicliffe makes her return to the national squad for the first time since 2021.

For the ODI series, experienced pacer Masabata Klaas is back after missing out on the T20 World Cup in the UAE last month. South Africa have also included fast bowler Ayanda Hlubi, marking this her first 50-over call-up since February’s tour to Australia.

Left-handed batter Lara Goodall, who recently reached her 50th ODI cap in April, returns after missing the ODI series against India in June. “The selection focused on white-ball cricket, with the T20I series giving us a great platform to provide opportunities to some players who have been on the radar, based on their performances over the last year.”

“The ODIs allow us to continue with our preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup and to solidify our position in the ICC Women’s Championship. Faye Tunnicliffe has put in some prolific and impacting performances for her province and has been making steady progress at recently held national camps.”

“Lara Goodall has shown some positive strides domestically and we are positive that she will be in a position to impact the ODI series with her skill. Nondumiso Shangase brings her domestic experience into play with her right arm-off spin and batting capabilities,” said Clinton du Preez, Proteas Women Convenor of Selectors.

In the current ICC Women’s Championship (2022-2025) standings, South Africa are fourth with 23 points from 21 matches, trailing England by five points with three matches to play for both teams. Top five sides, along with hosts India, will qualify automatically for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup.

“Everyone is looking forward to the multi-format series against England, and we know it’s not going to be an easy one. It’s always a tough series against them. We know that we need to make sure that our planning is spot on and so far it’s been interesting. We would like to have the same approach as we had in the recent T20 World Cup.”

“We would still like to grow as a team and continue working on our T20 playing philosophy. So we decided to give one or two players a chance in the T20I series to prove themselves and also to give us a chance to look at what stock we have available and what skill we need to work on,” said interim head coach Dillon du Preez.

South Africa will also play England in a historic Test match at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein from December 15-18, the first Women’s Test held in South Africa since 19 March 2002. Cricket South Africa (CSA) said the Test squad will be announced in due course during the white-ball series.

South Africa T20I Squad: Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloé Tryon and Faye Tunnicliffe

South Africa ODI Squad: Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tryon

New Zealand clinched the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 title© AFP

New Zealand beat South Africa by 32 runs in the final of Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.© X/@WHITE_FERNS

South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women LIVE Telecast: South Africa are all set to face New Zealand in the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday in Dubai. New Zealand’s women’s team had won the ODI World Cup back in 2000 but none of the current squad members were part of that historic title triumph. Before this event began, New Zealand were in the trenches having lost 10 matches on the trot in the format but under Devine this bunch, comprising of the venerable Suzie Bates and the assuring Amelia Kerr, has done wonders, bringing the side in contention for the ultimate prize.

South Africa on the other side will be equally determined to complete the unfinished business as they had lost the 2023 World Cup final to Australia at home. They have an opportunity to erase painful memories as they had lost by a mere 19 runs in the close contest.

When will the South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match take place?

The South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match will take place on October 20 (IST).

Where will the South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match be held?

The South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.

What time will the South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match start?

The South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match will start at 7:30 PM IST (7 PM toss).

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match?

The South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match will be live telecast on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow live streaming of the South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match?

The South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match will be live streamed on the Disney+ Hotstar website and app.

(All details are as per information shared by the broadcaster)

Women’s T20 World Cup Final Highlights, South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women© AFP

New Zealand’s golden generation, led by the inspirational Sophie Devine, will have one last chance to lay hands on a global ICC trophy when it meets a gritty South Africa in the summit clash of the T20 World Cup which is set to throw a new champion, here Sunday. New Zealand’s women’s team had won the ODI World Cup back in 2000 but none of the current squad members were part of that historic title triumph. Before this event began, New Zealand were in the trenches having lost 10 matches on the trot in the format but under Devine this bunch, comprising of the venerable Suzie Bates and the assuring Amelia Kerr, has done wonders, bringing the side in contention for the ultimate prize.

It is most probably the last time the Black Shirts will have Devine, Bates and Lea Tahuhu playing of the national side in a global tournament.

Devine, 35, has more than 7000 runs under her belt in white-ball formats while the 37-year-old Bates has more than 10,000 runs to her name.

Pacer Tahuhu, 34, has 112 wickets in ODIs and 93 in T20Is.

They won’t leave any stone unturned to ensure that they have a World Cup trophy in their cabinet.

South Africa on the other side will be equally determined to complete the unfinished business as they had lost the 2023 World Cup final to Australia at home. They have an opportunity to erase painful memories as they had lost by a mere 19 runs in the close contest.

New Zealand have one or other player to rise the occasion in the tournament and in the semifinal against the West Indies, if they failed to set a target big enough to daunt the free-flowing Caribbean batters, their bowlers responded with tidy spells throughout the game to eke out a memorable win.

Kerr’s wicket tally has swelled to 12 in the tournament as she found apt support from the other end in the likes of Eden Carson (8), Rosemary Mair (7) and the experienced Lea Tahuhu.

New Zealand announced their intentions with a big win against India first up and followed that up with consistent performances across departments.

A 60-run loss to Australia, arguably the strongest team in the competition, notwithstanding, the Kiwis weren’t unnerved as they went on to pip the West Indies in the final over of their low-scoring semifinal to make their third final.

When the tournament began towards the end of the first decade of this century, New Zealand appeared to be the team to beat as they made two consecutive finals but got pipped by England and Australia once each.

Bates and Devine, the survivors from those campaigns, will thus get a third crack in winning the first ICC trophy for New Zealand in white-ball cricket since 2000 when the men’s team won the Champions Trophy in Kenya.

But against them will be the formidable South Africa who scripted history of sorts to have stopped the all-dominating Australian team from reaching their eighth consecutive final in the last 15 years and seven editions of the T20 World Cup.

If New Zealand has Kerr topping the charts for most successful bowlers, South Africa have two of their top-order batters — Laura Wolvaardt (190 runs) and Tazmin Brits (170 runs) — lodged at the top of the batting charts in this tournament.

South Africa’s all-round might will pose the sternest challenge as the Proteas side is coming off a comprehensive eight-wicket thrashing of Australia, having restricted them to a mere 135/5 and knocked off the target with more than two overs to spare.

While a lot will depend on the pair of Wolvaardt and Brits at the top, SA will need the likes of Anneke Bosch and Marizanne Kapp to chip in with the bat too.

Similarly, Nonkululeko Mlaba (10 wickets) would also need the rest of the bowlers to replicate their performance from the semifinal, in which they collectively kept it tight to not allow Australia to get away with the bat.

Squads:

New Zealand: Sophie Devine (captain), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Isabella Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder (wk), Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon.

Time: 7:30PM IST.