India Under-19 women's T20 World Cup champions again

KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions India retained the Under-19 women's T20 World Cup TOday.

They thrashed South Africa by nine wickets in the final at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Pandamaran, Klang.

India won all their seven matches in Malaysia.

South Africa, appearing for the first time in the final, let India field after winning the toss.

South Africa's Mieke Van Voorst made 23 runs from 18 balls and Jemma Botha made 16 runs from 14 balls.

India were in superb bowling form as they restricted their opponents to 82 runs with all out in 20 overs. India produced 84 runs with loss of one wicket in 11.2 overs with 52 balls to spare.

India's Trisha Gongadi, featuring in her second Under-19 World Cup, was named Player of the Match for making 44 runs from 33 deliveries with eight boundaries without being out, and also taking three wickets from four overs.

Trisha was also named Player of the Tournament for posting the most runs, 309, and taking seven wickets.

Wicket keeper Kamalini G. made eight runs from 13 balls while Sanika Chalke secured 26 runs from 22 deliveries with four fours.

"I want to dedicate these awards to my father. Thanks to the batting coach for backing me to open the innings," Trisha told ICC.Cricket.Com.

An emotional South Africa captain, Kayla Reyneke, said: "Although the team have fallen short today, they have played well till now."