Shafali Verma could not hold back tears while lifting the inaugural ICC U-19 Women's World Cup trophy in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Sunday.
When Soumya Tiwari punched Hannah Baker through covers to help India beat England by seven wickets while chasing just 69, it was the first time that an Indian women's team has won an ICC trophy, indicating the impressive growth of women's cricket in India.
For Shafali, already a seasoned international cricketer at 19, it brought back memories of the heartbreak in Melbourne three years ago when India took a beating at the hands of Australia in the T20 World Cup final.
"The final in 2020 was a very emotional moment for me. When I joined the U-19 team, I was only thinking that we need to win this World Cup. I am going to miss this batch. They have given me a perfect birthday gift," Shafali, who turned 19 a day before the final, told the media.
Hopefully, this triumph proves to be a catalyst to the growth of women's cricket at the grassroots level.
"Yes, women's cricket has reached that point where young girls will have women cricketers as role models before naming men cricketers," Shafali responded to a query from TOI.
"BCCI has put a lot of money into women's cricket. It's our duty now to win more and more tournaments. Women's cricket will grow tournament by tournament. We know we have to work hard to do that. But we have to be equally good as men's cricket," she added.
Shafali and Richa Ghosh, who have already played in senior World Cups, were supposed to carry this U-19 team on their shoulders. Instead, like Shafali mentioned, it was the likes of hard-hitting batter Shweta Sehrawat, leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra and medium-pacer Titas Sadhu who laid the foundation for this historic moment.
1/10:India win inaugural Women's U-19 T20 World Cup with thumping win over England
2/10:Maiden ICC title for India women
<p>India won their maiden ICC title in women's cricket as a bunch of sprightly and talented teenagers lifted the inaugural U-19 World Cup with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over England.<br /></p>ANI
3/10:Shafali Verma-led India script 'history'
<p>The Shafali Verma-led India U-19 squad managed to do what their seniors could not do by clearing the final hurdle in a global event.<br /></p>
4/10:India bundle out England for 68
<p>India first bundled out England for 68 in 17.1 overs and then returned to knock off the paltry target in 14 overs to lift the coveted trophy.<br /></p>ANI
5/10:Shafali gives credit to support staff
<p>India skipper Shafali credited the support staff for all the effort.<br /></p>ANI
6/10:Sadhu leads India's bowling attack
<p>India's bowling attack, led by pacer Titas Sadhu, set up the comprehensive win on Sunday as they blew England away with a clinical display at Senwes Park.<br /></p>ANI
7/10:Sadhu claims 2/6 in her four-over spell
<p>Sadhu showed that Indian women pace bowling is in safe hands following the retirement of Jhulan Goswami with impressive figures of 4-0-6-2.<br /></p>ANI
8/10:Parshavi continues her dream run
<p>Leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra continued her dream run as she snapped two for 13 and gave an able support to Sadhu.<br /></p>IANS
9/10:Archana scalps a double too
<p>Archana Devi also scalped 2 for 17, while Mannat Kashyap (1/13), Shafali(1/16) and Sonam Yadav (1/3) accounted for one wicket each as England were all at sea after being asked to take first strike.<br /></p>ANI
10/10:Neeraj's pep talk inspires Team India
<p>Following a pep talk from India's Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, India came out with a specific plan and executed it perfectly as England's innings never really took off after being reduced to 16 for three in four overs.<br /></p>ANITitas set the tone on Sunday by getting a wicket off the fourth ball of the match before finishing her spell with figures of 2/6. Parshavi and Archana Devi returned figures of 2/13 and 2/17 respectively.
The Indian girls were impressive in the field too, be it Gingadi Trisha's catch diving forward to dismiss England captain Grace Scrivens at long off or Archana Devi's stunner at extra-cover to dismiss Ryana MacDonald-Gay.
As much as this U-19 World Cup has been a stepping stone for young aspiring girls, it was a chance for the likes of Shafali and coach Nooshin Al Khadeer to settle scores. While Shafali made amends for the T20 final three years ago, Nooshin had also lost a World Cup final for India here in 2005. That was the first time an Indian women's team had reached a World Cup final.
"I will take this confidence forward to the senior T20 World Cup here this month. I was not thinking about the senior World Cup during the U-19 World Cup. But I will be switched on when I join the senior team here on Feb 3," Shafali claimed while asserting she is not done winning world titles.
The Neeraj Chopra effect
India's javelin star Neeraj Chopra proved to be a big factor behind Sunday's triumph. The Tokyo Olympics gold medallist visited the girls on the eve of the final. He also watched the game at the ground. "We all know what he has done for the country. He motivated us. He shared his experience of competing in a big final," Shafali said.
