A tremendous all-round performance came from India in the second semi-final against England, securing their place in the Women's U-19 T20 World Cup final. They made it to the final after defeating England by 9 wickets in Kuala Lumpur. England U-19 Women won the toss and opted to first put up a score of 113/8 for Indian Women. When England opted to bat first, Davina Perrin (45) gave a dream start to the team, having a score of 37/0 in the powerplay before Indian bowlers took over them. Skipper Abi Norgrove smashed 30 runs off 25 balls, helping their team to put up a score of 113 runs on the board.
Indian women achieved the target of 113 with five overs left, winning the game one-sidedly because of the illustrious performance by the team. When England opted to bat first, the Indian bowlers destroyed the batting lineup of the opposition team, with Parunika Sisodia and Vaishanvi Shami taking 3 wickets each and Aayushi Shukla bagging 2 wickets.
India's top order, led by G. Kamalini, remained not out in the game, scoring 56 runs off 50 balls; Sanika Chalke (11 not out) and Gongadi Trisha made 35 runs off 29 balls and were then dismissed by Phoebe Brett, helping India chase down the target with five overs to spare.
"Not going to worry about pressure, just going to enjoy the game" - Parunika
Parunika, who claimed three wickets in four overs, giving away 21 runs after the match, said that their motto is not to worry about pressure; it's just to enjoy the game.
"We have made it our motto that we are not going to worry about pressure; we are just going to enjoy the game. Whatever happens, we will go through it together. It's '11 against all.'."
"We have been playing together for seven or eight months. Our support staff has always been there and made sure we are together, making sure we are having fun."
G. Kamalini scored a half-century in the game against England and helped India chase down the target in 15 overs with the loss of one wicket. She said,
"This was the goal, getting to the final and performing well all through the tournament. We are here to dominate, and every time we enter the field, that is the goal; we are going to dominate and be ruthless."
"Cricket is something that has deepened bond with my father" - Kamalini
Kamalini won 'Player of the Match' for her incredible performance and said that she always talks to her day before playing the match. His father is now his coach, and her playing cricket is something that has deepened their bond.
"I'm happier that we are in the final than getting 'player of the match' or getting those wickets. Since this morning, I had the butterflies-in-my-stomach feeling there, one more game to go."
"Today, I woke up very early and had nothing to do. We have a team room, so I went there and had a yoga and meditation session. Then I came back, had breakfast, and talked to my dad. I will always talk to my dad before coming to a match. He played domestic cricket, and now he is a coach, and me playing is something that has deepened our bond."
On February 2, Sunday, India U-19 Women and South Africa U-19 Women will be clashing in the final at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur.