"NEW DELHI: Shafali Verma, smiling, put her hand around Richa Ghosh's shoulders and said, "Abb senior World Cup title jeetna hai, Richa" (Richa, it's time to win the senior World Cup now).
On Wednesday, the two, who were both a part of India's successful u-19 World Cup team, spent a few hours in Ahmedabad to attend their celebration. They are currently on their way back to South Africa, where the senior women's T20 World Cup, which begins on February 10, will be held.
On February 12, India is scheduled to play Pakistan.
At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, batting great Sachin Tendulkar and the BCCI presented awards to India's women's U19 team, which was led by Shafali. The inaugural tournament was won by the India Under-19 team, which defeated England by 7 wickets in the title match.
Special Triumph and Special Celebrations at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, which is the largest cricket stadium in the world... https://t.co/ZkZzCL2npV — BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) 1675269195000 She gave the team self-assurance. She always said, "Don't worry, we will win" or something like that. She stated this prior to each match. Before boarding the flight to Ahmedabad, wicketkeeper batter Richa spoke to TimesofIndia.com from South Africa. "Her words encouraged us to do well."
"We are the World Cup champions. The feeling of winning the World Cup has yet to sink in, and I have no words. "I am sure the future India teams will continue the winning streak even though it is our first," Richa exclaimed with excitement.
India's dominance was such that they only lost one match throughout the U-19 World Cup. Shweta Sehrawat, the tournament's leading run-getter, scored an unbeaten 92 off 57 balls in India's 122-run wins over the UAE and 83-run victories over Scotland after defeating South Africa by 7 wickets in the opening match.
This is meant for India! #U19T20WorldCup https://t.co/LZrox6Z32b — Shafali Verma (@TheShafaliVerma) 1675063405000 India, which only lost one match — to Australia by seven wickets — went on to win by seven wickets against Sri Lanka to set up a semifinal match with New Zealand. The Indian youngsters almost won the semifinal, defeating the White Ferns by 8 wickets to open the door for them.
Shafali and co. won the trophy at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom with a 7-wicket victory over England, dismissing the English for a pitiful 68 runs. The final was completely lopsided for them.
"Winning the World Cup will inspire us to win the senior World Cup. Yes, the Under-19 World Cup is over, and the Senior World Cup has begun. In addition, Richa stated to TimesofIndia.com, "I am confident, just like Shafali, that Harmanpreet didi will take India to a title win."
Shafali and her team spoke with India's senior captain Harmanpreet Kaur prior to the World Cup final. His words: "GO AND FETCH IT."
"Go and fetch it, girls," Harmanpreet didi instructed. Before the final, she offered some advice. She is a skilled player who understands what it means to compete in a final. Richa continued, "I am now concentrating on the next assignment, which is the senior World Cup (Women's T20 World Cup)."
"For the final (versus England), we had a plan. We just wanted to put a lot of pressure on England and keep them from scoring much more than they did. "Our strategy was successful," Richa continued.