India emerged victorious in the Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup final, defeating Bangladesh by 41 runs at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, December 22. This win marks a historic moment as India becomes the inaugural champions of the tournament.

India’s innings:

Bangladesh captain Sumaiya Akter opted to bowl first after winning the toss in the high-pressure final. Gongadi Trisha led India’s batting with a composed 52 off 47 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, even as wickets fell at regular intervals. Mithila Vinod provided a late boost with a quick 17 off 12 balls, helping India post a competitive total of 117/7 in their 20 overs.

Farjana Easmin was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, taking 4/31 in her four overs. Trisha’s performance not only anchored India’s innings but also made her the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

Bangladesh’s reply:

Bangladesh’s chase got off to a poor start, losing Mosammat Eva in the second over. Despite Fahomida Choya’s efforts to stabilize the innings, key wickets, including captain Sumaiya Akter, fell cheaply.

Wicketkeeper-batter Juairiya Ferdous kept Bangladesh’s hopes alive with a patient 22 off 30 balls. However, her dismissal in the 15th over left Bangladesh at 64/5, needing 54 runs from the final 34 deliveries. The lower order collapsed under pressure, with the last five wickets falling for just 12 runs.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 76 in 18.3 overs, handing India a convincing 41-run win.

Key performers:

• India:
  • Aayushi Shukla: 3/17 in 3.3 overs
  • Sonam Yadav and Parunika Sisodia: 2 wickets each
  • Gongadi Trisha: 52 runs (leading tournament scorer)
• Bangladesh:
  • Farjana Easmin: 4/31 in 4 overs
  • Juairiya Ferdous: 22 runs

India’s comprehensive performance capped a dominant campaign, securing the inaugural Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup title.

Mumbai Indians’ captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, reminisced about the euphoric experience of leading her team to victory in the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and shared her sentiments as the highly anticipated second season approaches.

Last year, on March 26, 2023, Harmanpreet Kaur etched her name in history by becoming the first captain to guide her team to a title triumph in the WPL, prevailing over the Delhi Capitals in a gripping final. Speaking exclusively with News18, Kaur described the victory as “a dream come true,” expressing her elation at the culmination of years of aspiration.

“Our team combination was good, we were giving good performances so it felt really good,” Harmanpreet remarked, reflecting on the successful campaign of the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural season.

As the defending champions, Mumbai Indians inevitably face heightened expectations heading into the upcoming season. However, Harmanpreet maintains that her team is not succumbing to the pressure.

“Not at all,” she affirmed. “Last year also we were very open-minded. We just wanted to enjoy ourselves and keep doing the right things again and again.”

Echoing her sentiments for the upcoming season, Harmanpreet emphasized the importance of focusing on performance and enjoyment rather than feeling burdened by expectations.

Addressing the challenge of traveling and adapting to new venues in the second season, Harmanpreet remained pragmatic, stating, “This was supposed to happen sooner or later.” Indicating a readiness to embrace the changes, she underscored the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on delivering consistent performances.

As the Mumbai Indians gear up to defend their title in the upcoming WPL season, Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and unwavering determination will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in guiding her team through the challenges and aspirations of another exciting campaign.

With just four days until the much-anticipated start of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024, both the Gujarat Giants (GG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have encountered significant injury setbacks.

The Giants and Royals, gearing up for the second edition of the league commencing on February 23, have been compelled to make alterations to their squads due to unfortunate injuries to key players.

For the Gujarat Giants, the absence of 20-year-old sensation Kashvee Gautam looms large as she has been ruled out for the entire WPL 2024 season. Last year, Gautam made headlines by becoming the most expensive uncapped player in WPL history with a staggering price tag of Rs 2 crore. In her place, the Giants have brought in Sayali Satghare from Mumbai as a replacement. Satghare, a promising talent, joins the Giants as a reserve player and is set to receive Rs 10 lakh for her services throughout the season.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore has been dealt a blow with the injury to all-rounder Kanika Ahuja. To fill the void left by Ahuja, RCB has enlisted the services of left-arm all-rounder Shraddha Pokharkar. Like Ahuja, Pokharkar is known for her left-arm bowling prowess and has been recruited for Rs 10 lakh. Pokharkar, who has previously been involved with the RCB squad as a net bowler, will now make the transition to the main team.

Despite these setbacks, both teams are determined to make their mark in the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League. The Royals are slated to kick off their campaign on February 24 against the UP Warriorz at their home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. On the other hand, the Giants will face the formidable Mumbai Indians, the defending champions, in their opening match on February 25.

India’s domestic cricketers have a golden opportunity to shine on the big stage and earn a call-up to the national team for the upcoming T20 World Cup, according to Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of both India and the Mumbai Indians.

With the second season of the Women’s IPL (WPL) on the horizon, Harmanpreet emphasized the significance of the tournament as a platform for domestic players to showcase their talent. “WPL is the kind of platform where domestic players will get opportunities,” she stated during a pre-season press conference in Mumbai. “If they do well here then it means they’re kind of ready for international cricket.”

Highlighting the impact of WPL performances on national team selections, Harmanpreet cited the example of left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque, who made a remarkable debut in the inaugural season, leading to her inclusion in the Indian team later that year. “Last year we saw Saika do well and other players too who were picked later in the team,” she noted. “Later on, they got opportunities in the Indian team. So it’s a good platform for players because if you do well here, you can get picked [for the Indian team].”

Echoing Harmanpreet’s sentiments, Mumbai Indians’ bowling coach Jhulan Goswami emphasized the team’s commitment to nurturing young talent from domestic cricket. “Our scout team is working really hard to bring them here and we choose the best for our combination and all our quality cricketers,” Goswami said. “They just need a little bit of support from our end and this platform.”

With the T20 World Cup looming later this year, the WPL presents a crucial opportunity for aspiring cricketers to make their mark and catch the selectors’ attention. As players gear up for the upcoming season, the stage is set for the emergence of new stars and the continuation of India’s cricketing legacy.

Cricket enthusiasts are gearing up for the highly anticipated second edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), set to kick off on Friday, February 23. The opening clash will witness Mumbai Indians locking horns with Delhi Capitals at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Following the success of its inaugural season, the WPL is back with a bang, promising an even more thrilling experience for fans. With all five teams bolstering their squads in the auction, spectators can expect intense competition and captivating cricketing action.

In a bid to make the league accessible to fans across the country, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has scheduled matches in two cities: Bengaluru and Delhi. The first leg of the tournament will feature 11 matches in Bengaluru, while the remaining 11 will be hosted at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

To ensure widespread participation, tickets for the Bengaluru leg are now available at a nominal price of INR 100 each. Cricket enthusiasts can secure their seats via the BookMyShow app and website, offering a hassle-free booking experience.

How to Book WPL 2024 Tickets Online:
1. Visit the BookMyShow website or app and select Bengaluru as the location.
2. Navigate to the Sports section and choose Women’s Premier League.
3. Select the desired matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
4. Choose your preferred stands and proceed to payment.
5. Upon successful payment, receive your E-tickets via email for hassle-free entry.

For cricket fans eager to witness their favorite players in action, the opportunity is now at their fingertips. Don’t miss out on the electrifying cricketing extravaganza as WPL 2024 promises to deliver unmatched entertainment and fierce competition.