INDIA is the back-to-back Under 19 Women’s World Cup champion, after defeating South Africa by nine wickets to win the 2025 edition. A stellar bowling display form the Indians saw them restrict South Africa to all out for 82, before reaching the target themselves in the 12th over.

Player of the Match honours went to Trisha Gongadi, who was pivotal with both bat and ball in hand. She also won Player of the Series after dominating with the bat all tournament.

Speaking post-match, Indian skipper Niki Prasad was delighted with the result but hopes this is not the end of India’s success at this level.

“Coming into the tournament, I said we are here to dominate and make sure India stays on top,” Prasad said. “We are going to create a legacy of winning this tournament and other ICC tournaments for India.

“I am feeling really happy that I am right here standing as a world champion and helping India to stay on top. It is a special moment, playing in this World Cup and doing this for India.”

South Africa actually chose to bat first, but it was not long before the South Africans regretted that decision.

The South African innings was characterised by wicket losses in clumps. They went from 1/11 to 2/20 to 3/20 in the space of the opening four overs, then for the rest of the innings once they lost a wicket they would love another one zero to four runs later. In the end, only four South African batters made a double figure score.

Meanwhile for India, Gongadi was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Parunika Sisodia, Aayushi Shukla and Vaishnavi Sharma all took a pair of wickets each.

In reply India got straight to the point, getting almost half the required score inside the first four and a half overs before losing its opening wicket. Scoring slowed a little after that, but with such a little total to get, it was ultimately a matter of when not if the Indians would reach the target.

After being the top wicket taker earlier in the day, Gongadi was also the top scorer for India, smashing 44 off just 33 balls. For South Africa, captain Kayla Reyneke was the only one to pick up a wicket.