India has created an extremely glorious history by winning the first ever ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup final after beating England on January 29 by 7 wickets. The matches were held between January 14 and January 29, 2023, in Benoni and Potchefstroom, two famous towns in South Africa.
The full list of all 16 teams is –
Group A: Bangladesh, Australia, Sri Lanka, and the USA
Group B: England, Pakistan, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe
Group C: Ireland, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the West Indies
Group D: India, South Africa, Scotland, and the UAE
The Women U-19 cricket squad members of Team India were: Shefali Verma (captain), Richa Ghosh (wk), Hrishita Basu (wk), Parshavi Chopra, Archana Devi, Hurley Gala, Mannat Kashyap, Sonia Mehdiya, Falak Naz, Shabnam Shakil, Titas Sadhu, Shweta Sehrawat, Gongadi Trisha, Soumya Tiwari, and Sonam Yadav. In reserve were Najla CMC, Shikha Shalot, and S. Yashashree.
The final match on January 29 was held between India and England. India’s captain, Shafali Verma, won the toss and chose to bowl.
England made 68 runs in 17.1 overs and was all out. India scored 69 for three in 14 overs and won by seven wickets with 36 balls left.
Adding to the fine bowling, the team’s fielding was outstanding. Titas Sadhu of India wins the title of “Player of the Match.” Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jay Shah, has announced Rs. 5 crore in prize money for the women’s U-19 cricket team and the support staff. But unfortunately, this grand achievement is not being circulated and celebrated in the country, as compared to when the men’s team makes an achievement.
This news focused here can serve as inspiration for children, youths, and their parents, especially in middle class families, to let their children in the family follow their passions and show interest in and involvement in those. Being a child in a middle-class family can be hard, as one can often feel voiceless. Most of the time, kids from wealthy or upper-class families get to follow their dreams with their parents’ support and encouragement. Even kids in economically weaker sections also get their parents’ support to some extent. However, in most middle-class families, things differ. Plus, they are also very sensitive to reputation and prestige, which is why there is a high chance that children in these families get suffocated by restrictions continuously imposed upon them.
When people talk about education, they often focus on the core subjects like mathematics, science, social science, literature, etc. In our education system, knowledge is measured on the basis of marks scored in examinations.
However, it is to be remembered that sports education is of utmost importance for everyone. Sports are one of the most efficient ways through which people can burn off their excess energy and stay out of trouble because they keep them engaged. Sports also help children and youths learn self-discipline and goal-setting.
It is true that the government must take steps to take India to the next level in the field of sports. However, if one wishes for India to shine in the world of sports, simply blaming the government is not enough. A passion for sports should always be openly accepted, nurtured, motivated, and appreciated by all.
