India delivered a dominant performance to defeat South Africa in Kuala Lumpur and win the Women’s U19 T20 World Cup.

India finished the tournament in just the same style they had demonstrated all the way along – with confidence and brilliance as they took South Africa apart in the final and won by nine wickets.

It means they keep the trophy they won two years ago.

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first but struggled against India’s bowlers throughout the innings. Parunika Sisodia made an early impact, dismissing opener Simone Lourens for a duck, while Shabnam followed with the vital wicket of the dangerous Jemma Botha, leaving South Africa at 20-2 by the end of the fourth over.

Aayushi Sharma added to the pressure, removing Diara Ramlakan and reducing South Africa to 29-3 by the end of the powerplay. A brief partnership between captain Kayla Reyneke and Karabo Meso steadied the innings, but both were dismissed in consecutive overs.

Mieke van Voorst and Fay Cowling put on 30 runs – the largest partnership of the match – before falling to back-to-back deliveries.

India’s bowlers continued to dominate, bowling out South Africa for just 82.

Gongadi Trisha took three wickets, but Aayushi Shukla was the standout bowler, claiming 2-9, including two maidens.

India began their chase with a blazing start, racing to 18-0 in the first two overs and maintaining their momentum to reach 36-0 by the end of four overs.

South Africa found their only breakthrough soon after, as captain Kayla Reyneke forced Kamalini G into a rash shot, which was brilliantly caught by Simone Lourens.

However, that was the only bright moment for South Africa’s bowling attack.

Trisha Gongadi continued her outstanding form, scoring an unbeaten 44 off 33 balls, including eight fours. She was well-supported by Sanika Chalke, who contributed 26 off 22 deliveries.

The duo guided India comfortably across the finish line, securing a commanding victory.

– Report from ICC website

Photo: Matthew Lewis/ICC

India thrashed South Africa by nine wickets in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup final at Bayuemas Oval.

The last two unbeaten teams will face off in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup final at Bayuemas Oval on Sunday as South Africa look to dethrone reigning champions India.

Both impressed in their semi-finals, South Africa chasing down a target of 106 for a five-wicket win over Australia, before India managed success by nine wickets against England.

With both teams having won every completed game so far, they come into the final (which starts at 8:30am SA time) in fine form with key players set to decide who comes out on top.

Here are some of the main head-to-heads:

Captaincy: Niki Prasad vs Kayla Reyneke

So far in this tournament, Niki Prasad has largely been needed from a leadership perspective, with India’s impressive top order batting meaning that she has limited chances in the middle.

She did score 11 in a 31-run partnership with Trisha against Sri Lanka before cracking five runs off two balls to finish off the win over Bangladesh.

Aside from that though, her main task has been managing her team, something she did impressively against England after Davina Perrin had got after the Indian seamers.

Prasad did not panic and rotated her slow bowlers to perfection to keep the target manageable.

South Africa, meanwhile, have seen a lot more of Kayla Reyneke in action.

She has been their standout bowler, taking 10 wickets at a strike rate of 7.6, including stunning figures of three for two against Ireland.

Reyneke has also done her bit with the bat, particularly in the last two games, scoring an unbeaten 16 in that win over Ireland, before her 26 eased any nerves in the semi-final chase.

Batters: Gongadi Trisha vs Jemma Botha

Nobody has scored more runs in the tournament than Gongadi Trisha, whose 265 runs are nearly 100 more than her closest rival.

Alongside G Kamalini – third for runs with 135 – Trisha has given India the perfect start time and again, averaging 66.25 across her six innings with the only hundred of the tournament so far.

Not only that, she has scored her runs at a strike rate of 149.71, comfortably the most of any player to have reached 100 runs overall.

In their semi-final, South Africa showed that they have a power hitter of their own, Jemma Botha looked in fine form as she smashed 37 off just 24 balls to set them on course for a comfortable chase.

She has been the pick of the South African batters, although a combination of rain and chasing small targets has limited her opportunity to rack up quite as many runs as Trisha. Still, with 89 runs at an average of just under 30, she is the seventh most prolific batter in the tournament.

Bowlers: Vaishnavi Sharma vs Ashleigh van Wyk

Exactly which bowlers will be key on the day is hard to say, but both sides will know that if they are to come out on top, they will have to limit the impact of the spinners.

India have a trio of left-arm slow bowlers, with Aayushi Shukla and Parunika Sisodia both impressing in the semi-final.

Nobody has matched Vaishnavi Sharma’s 15 wickets however, with a remarkable strike rate of 7.2 and an economy rate of under three.

Even after being put under some pressure by England, she came back with three wickets in four balls that dramatically slowed down scoring.

South Africa have Reyneke taking wickets at regular intervals, and will hope that Ashleigh van Wyk can carry her form from the semi-final into the final.

Wicketless in the tournament prior to the semi-final, she then proceeded to take 4-17 to wrap up the Australian innings.

Ashleigh van Wyk’s bowling heroics helped South Africa became the first team to reach the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup final, with a five-wicket victory over Australia.

Van Wyk was the star of the show, taking 4-17 as she helped restrict Australia to 105-8 from their 20 overs.

It soon became clear that it would not be enough, particularly as Jemma Botha smashed 37 from just 24 balls to set South Africa on their way.

Skipper Kayla Reyneke took up the chase with 26 as South Africa got home to keep their perfect record in this year’s competition.

South Africa made the perfect start with Nthabiseng Nini trapping Ines McKeon lbw from the very first delivery of the match.

Grace Lyons followed in the third over, run out after Lucy Hamilton had driven the ball straight only for Nini to get down and get a touch on it, diverting it onto the stumps with the wicketkeeper out of her crease.

Skipper Hamilton and Caoimhe Bray went about rebuilding, with the former hitting three boundaries in quick succession.

She fell lbw sweeping to opposite number Reyneke to make it 30-3, which brought Eleanor Larosa to the crease and she provided useful support for Bray.

The 15-year-old all-rounder took the initiative, with the pair adding 27 in 7.5 overs before Larosa was caught and bowled by Seshnie Naidu for seven.

Hasrat Gill soon followed for one, becoming Van Wyk’s first victim as she was brilliantly caught on the run by Luyanda Nzuza.

Bray was joined by Ella Briscoe as Australia looked to pick up the scoring rate. Bray finally departed for an invaluable 36, caught and bowled by Van Wyk.

The spinner added two more in the space of three balls to finish with figures of 4-17 but Briscoe smashed four boundaries to finish with an unbeaten 17-ball 27 to take Australia to 105-8.

Botha showed her intent from the start, finding the boundary through the offside twice in the first over.

Simone Lourens got in on the act, leaving Australia in need of a wicket. Chloe Ainsworth provided it with her very first ball, bringing one back and bowling Lourens for five.

As Botha continued to find the boundaries, Fay Cowling joined in, hitting the first six of the match before miscuing one off Hasrat Gill to go for seven.

That brought Reyneke to the crease, but she let Botha take the lead, showing her comfort against pace with powerful striking including two sixes of her own after surviving a run-out scare.

The game was in danger of getting away from Australia, but Hamilton struck an important blow, with Botha caught at cover by Juliette Morton to depart for a 24-ball 37, making it 56-3 in the eighth over.

Reyneke and Karabo Meso came together, adding 38, with the required rate not an issue as it hovered around three an over.

They were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over with singles, while picking off the odd boundary until Meso was brilliantly caught in the deep by Lily Bassingthwaighte off Gill for 19.

The hard work was done by that point, however, even after Reyneke fell for 26 to a brilliant catch by Bray with three still required.

They got there with 11 balls to spare, and will now prepare to take on India or England in their first final at this level.

Photo: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images

South Africa continued their unbeaten run in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, storming to a seven-wicket victory against Ireland in their first Super Six fixture.

Inclement weather delayed the start of play, and the match was reduced to 10 overs per side, with SA asked to bowl first.

A superb bowling performance laid the foundation for the victory as Monalisa Legodi delivered a remarkable spell of 4-4 in two overs.

Captain Kayla Reyneke was equally impactful, returning figures of 3-2 in just under two overs. Their combined efforts saw Ireland bowled out for 35.

Reyneke also led with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 16 off 17 balls, supported by Simoné Lourens, who contributed 14.

South Africa comfortably chased down the target, losing only three wickets.

“I really enjoyed my spell today,” said Legodi. “The ball was coming out well, and I focused on hitting my areas and executing my plans. I was in a good rhythm and backed myself to deliver for the team. It helps when the team around you is buzzing with energy and keeping the atmosphere positive.

“I want to keep building on this momentum. It’s all about staying consistent, working on my strengths, and contributing in every game. The key is to keep things simple and enjoy the process.

“We have a great team environment where everyone supports each other. Whether it’s celebrating wickets, backing our teammates, or keeping the energy high in the field, that positive vibe makes a big difference – and we thrive off it.”

Photo: Isuru Sameera/Gallo Images

South Africa are through to the Super Six stage of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup following their resounding victory against Nigeria in their final group encounter.

The match was reduced to eight overs per side after rain interrupted play.

South Africa delivered a composed performance, scoring 49 runs in their allotted overs as Simoné Lourens contributed a crucial 25 off 29 balls.

Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 65, Nigeria struggled to find their footing against a disciplined South African bowling attack.

The Junior Proteas restricted Nigeria to 24-8, claiming a comfortable 41-run victory to remain unbeaten and secure the top spot in Group C.

“I’ve been enjoying every minute of this tournament, and this experience has been so amazing,” said Player of the Match Seshnie Naidu, who took 2-1 in one over.

“I know exactly what my goals are for this World Cup, and my eyes are set on winning the trophy with my team and management.”

South Africa will now face the USA and Ireland as the tournament continues in Malaysia.

Photo: Matthew Lewis/ICC via Getty Images

Nthabiseng Nini took 3-4 as South Africa thrashed Samoa by 10 wickets in their second match of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup at the Borneo Cricket Ground.

After winning the toss, the hosts elected to field and dismissed Samoa for 16 in 9.1 overs.

Nini led the charge with her three wickets, while Seshnie Naidu, Fay Cowling and Kayla Reyneke each took two.

The chase was a formality for the South African openers, who reached the target in 1.4 overs.

“My performance in today’s game feels really special,” said Player of the Match Ntini. “What worked best for me was keeping it simple and applying what I’ve prepared for in practice.

“The motivation from our management – reminding us to treat every ball as an event – played a significant role in my performance today.”

Photo: @ProteasWomenCSA/X

The SA U19 Women began their U19 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a 22-run victory over New Zealand at the newly-constructed Borneo Cricket Ground.

The game was reduced to 11 overs per side following a delayed start due to wet conditions.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to field, but South Africa made the most of their time at the crease.

Openers Jemma Botha and Simoné Lourens laid a solid foundation with a 52-run partnership. Botha top-scored with 32 runs, while Lourens contributed 21.

The momentum was further boosted by Karabo Meso, who smashed a quickfire 25 off just 14 deliveries, propelling South Africa to a competitive total of 91-7 in their allotted overs.

In response, South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack ensured the target was out of reach for New Zealand.

Monalisa Legodi was the pick of the bowlers, delivering an exceptional spell with figures of 2-8, while Kayla Reyneke provided crucial support, claiming 2-15. New Zealand were restricted to 69-5, falling short by 22 runs.

Botha, named Player of the Match for her vital innings, reflected on the significance of the game and her preparation:

“Switching to a shorter format after the rain delay required quick adaptation. I focused on staying mentally engaged and keeping the team’s goal at the forefront.

“It is a proud moment to contribute to the team’s success in the opening game of the World Cup and to be part of history, playing and winning the first-ever match at this new venue.”

Photo: Isuru Sameera/Gallo Images

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