THE 2025 Under 19 Women’s World Cup is just around the corner, and to build up to the tournament Rookie Me Central will take a look at each of the groups in this year’s tournament and see how the teams in those groups may go.

To kick off the series, it is time to take a look at the teams in Group A – India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

India

Squad: Niki Prasad (c), Sanika Chalke, G Trisha, Kamalini G, Bhavika Ahire, Ishwari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodiya, Kesari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, MD Shabnam, Vaishnavi S

India is the reigning champion after winning the 2023 edition of this tournament, and will be the favourite to not only top this group but also win the tournament.

However, only two members of its title winning side from 2023 is coming back for this tournament, so whether that is a factor or not remains to be seen.

G Trisha was India’s third most prolific batter at the 2023 World Cup, and will be looked upon to really feel the whole left by Shweta Sehrawat and Shafali Verma ageing out.

This time the Indians will be lead by captain Niki Prasad and vice captain Sanika Chalke, with the pair both batters who bat around the end of the top order and the start of the middle order.

Malaysia

Squad: Nur Dania Syuhada (c), Nur Izzatul Syafiqa, Irdina Beh, Nur Aliya, Suabika Manivannan, Nur Isma Dania, Siti Nazwah, Nuriman Hidayah, Fatin Faqihah Adani, Marsya Qistina, Nazatul Hidayah Husna, Neserle Yean, Nur Alya Batrisyia, Nur Ain, Nuni Farini

The tournament hosts are also the only competition debutants at this tournament, so it may prove to be a tall order for them to exit this group. Malaysia is also a developing country in world cricket, so a good showing here may be the platform with which to truly accelerate for the Malaysians and to develop the sport in the country.

The player to watch from Malaysia at this tournament is captain Nur Dania Syuhada. The spinner has some senior level international experience so her team will be looking to her to really lead and perform.

Sri Lanka

Squad: Manudi Nanayakkara (c), Rashmika Sewwandi, Sumudu Nisansala, Limansa Thilakaratne, Vimoksha Balasooriya, Hiruni Kumari, Rashmi Nethranjali, Pramudi Methsara, Sanjana Kavindi, Danuli Thennakoon, Dahami Sanethma, Shehara Induwari, Aseni Thalagune, Shashini Gimhani, Chamudi Praboda

Sri Lanka is back for its second Under 19 Women’s World Cup, and will be looking for a better result this time around after not winning a match in the 2023 tournament.

Of all the countries in this group, they have the most returnees from two years ago with four. Captain Manudi Nanayakkara as well as wicketkeeper Sumudu Nisansala and allrounders Rashmi Nethranjali and Rashmika Sewwandi will be key to the success of the Sri Lankans as they have the experience at this level.

West Indies

Squad: Samara Ramnath (c), Asabi Callender, Abigail Bryce, Kenika Cassar, Jahzara Claxton, Denella Creese, NaiJanni Cumberbatch, Erin Deane, Amiah Gilbert, Trisha Hardat, Brianna Harricharan, Amrita Ramtahal, Selena Ross, Kristen Sutherland, Aaliyah Weekes

The West Indies also had a less than ideal tournament at the 2023 edition, only picking up the one win, so will be wanting to do much better this time around.

They only have one returnee from their 2023 squad, with allrounder Asabi Callender the only one with previous World Cup experience. However, she has not played much international level cricket in the last 12 months so it will be interesting to see how she goes.

Samara Ramnath is the captain of the West Indies this time, and has played with and against some of the best players in the world in the Caribbean Premier League. She is a bowler, and was her side’s highest wicket taker in last year’s Caribbean Premier League.