India captain Niki elated after historic Asia Cup win: Bowlers did a fantastic job

Under-19 Women's Asia Cup 2024: Captain Niki Prasad praised Gongadi Trisha and the Indian bowlers for putting their best foot forward in the final on Sunday against Bangladesh in Kuala Lumpur.

In Short

• Niki Prasad praised India bowlers after the Under-19 Asia Cup win
• On Sunday, India beat Bangladesh by 41 runs
• India bowled Bangladesh out for 76 in 18.3 overs

Skipper Niki Prasad admitted that India were around 20 runs short in their Under-19 Women’s Asia Cup 2024 final against Bangladesh. But she also heaped praise on the bowlers for defending a low total as India became the champions of the inaugural edition after winning the match by 41 runs at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.

After being asked to bat first, all India could manage was 117 for seven on the back of Gongadi Trisha’s half-century and a 17-run cameo from Mithila Vinod. Thereafter, Aayushi Shukla picked up three wickets as India bowled their opponents out for 76 in 18.3 overs.

Prasad, who will play for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL), said that staying calm under pressure has helped the Indian team in the tournament.

“We felt we were a few runs short, maybe 20 runs short, but scoring 117 on this wicket is good. But we knew that we had a good bowling side and would bowl well. We were trying to stay in the game, have that intent, body language and our bowlers and fielders did a fantastic job,” Prasad said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

“The first thing is that all of us are very calm in the dressing room and so, that brings a lot of confidence. When the batters are batting and things are not going in our side, it doesn’t matter as we are calm and that’s why we got to that score,” Prasad said.

Niki lauded Trisha for scoring 52 runs off 47 balls while opening the batting. She also hailed Trisha as India’s “mystery bowler” after the latter bowled three overs for 10 runs.

“The way G Trisha has batted, it was fabulous. I liked the approach we had, and we batted really well. She is also our mystery bowler, and she bowled really well,” Prasad added.

After becoming the champions of Asia, India are set to defend their title in the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup to be held in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2.