Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup: G Kamalini powers India second straight final after beating England by nine wickets

G Kamalini's unbeaten fifty helped India to enter the women's U-19 T20 World Cup final for the second straight time after beating England by nine wickets on Friday. Going into the match as favourites, the Indians bowlers, especially spinners, put up a brilliant show to restrict the opposition for 113/8 in 20 overs.

In reply, India put on 60 runs for the opening wicket through G Kamalini and Trisha Gongadi. Although Trisha was dismissed for 35, Kamalini, along with Sanika Chalke (11 not out), ensured there were no further hiccups to power the defending champions into the final with five overs to spare and nine wickets in hand.

Incidentally, Trisha was a part of the Indian team led by Shafali Verma, that won the 2023 edition of the women's U-19 T20 World Cup. India will face South Africa in the final. The Proteas has defeated Australia by five wickets in the other semifinal.

While Trisha went off the blocks quite quickly and her preferred scoring route was the 'V' down the ground, Kamalini's batting was all about precise placing and finding angles rather than power as England bowlers ran out of options against the left-hander.

Kamalini has a slice of fortune as well when England skipper Abigale Norgrove grassed the ball while catching an uppish drive off pacer Amu Surenkumar.

Parunika, Vaishnavi dismantle England

Earlier, left-arm spinners Parunika Sisodia (3/21) and Vaishnavi Sharma (3/23) shackled England with fine spell to limit the opposition below 120. England batters were inexplicably stubborn with their intention to play sweep and paddles, resulting in five of them getting castled in a total of six bowled dismissals.

Davina Perrin (45, 40b, 6x4s, 2x6s) and Abigale Norgrove (30, 25, 3x4s, 1x6) shared a 44-run stand for the third wicket as England marched to 73/2 in 10 overs. In fact, Perrin and Norgrove were the top-scorers for England.