India’s U-19 Squad Sets Sights on World Cup Glory in Malaysia

Niki Prasad will captain a largely unchanged team for next month’s Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia, following their recent triumph at the U-19 Asia Cup. The only adjustment to the 15-member squad is the inclusion of Vaishnavi S, replacing 15-year-old medium-pacer Nandhana S, who joins the standby list.

Other standby players include Ira J and Anadi T, who replace Hurley Gala, Happy Kumari, G Kavya Sree, and Gayatri Survase from the Asia Cup standby lineup.

India’s U-19 team secured the Asia Cup title in Kuala Lumpur with a 41-run victory over Bangladesh in the final. Gongadi Trisha, named Player of the Match, led the charge with a stunning 52 off 47 balls, while G Kamalini contributed a crucial unbeaten 44 off 29 balls in an earlier game against Pakistan. Kamalini also celebrated a WPL contract with Mumbai Indians on the same day. Other players securing their first WPL contracts include Prasad (Delhi Capitals) and VJ Joshitha (RCB), while medium-pacer Shabnam Shakil, already with Gujarat Giants, boasts valuable experience from playing in four WPL matches and two white-ball games for India A in Australia.

Trisha, Shakil, and Sonam Yadav bring additional experience, having represented India in the previous U-19 World Cup. India’s Asia Cup victory was marked by an unbeaten run, barring a rain-affected match against Nepal. They defeated Pakistan in the group stage and outclassed Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the Super Fours before clinching the final.

The upcoming U-19 World Cup, scheduled from January 18 to February 2, will be the tournament's second edition. Sixteen teams are divided into four groups of four, with India, the defending champions, placed in Group A alongside Malaysia, West Indies, and Sri Lanka. All of India’s league matches will be held at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, starting against West Indies on January 19, followed by Malaysia on January 21, and Sri Lanka on January 23.

The tournament’s structure involves three teams advancing from each group to the Super Sixes, forming two groups of six. Points, wins, and net run rates from the league stage carry forward against fellow qualifiers. The top two teams from each Super Six group will compete in the semi-finals on January 31, with the final set for February 2.

India Squad for U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025:

• Captain: Niki Prasad
• Vice-Captain: Sanika Chalke
• Players: G Trisha, G Kamalini (wk), Bhavika Ahire (wk), Ishwari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, VJ Joshitha, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodiya, Kesari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, MD Shabnam, Vaishnavi S
• Standby Players: Nandhana S, Ira J, Anadi T

India enters the tournament as favourites, determined to defend their title and build on their Asia Cup success. The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the team’s journey.