India and Sri Lanka Set the Stage Ablaze on Day 2 of the ICC Women's U19 World Cup 2025

Defending champions India began their ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup 2025 in the most spectacular manner by thumping the West Indies. The Sri Lankans also did not want to be left behind in the other Group A match and registered a comprehensive victory over the host Malaysia.

The Bayeumas Oval in Kuala Lumpur was a picturesque venue where India took control of their opening match after deciding to bowl first. The West Indies were restricted to a mere 44 runs, with India's bowlers executing a flawless strategy. Pacer Joshitha VJ was an Indian player to watch out for, who dispatched West Indies skipper Samara Ramnath in the very second over, and that was followed by another quick wicket by Joshitha in the same over that sent Naijanni Cumberbatch packing with a duck. Joshitha VJ's spectacular performance helped the Indian team get ahead.

Spinners Aayushi Shukla and Parunika Sisodia did not let the West Indies batsmen breathe much. Shukla took two big wickets, while Sisodia returned impressive figures of 3/6, tearing apart the middle order. The West Indies' attempts to form partnership went up in smoke. Indian fielders chipped in with three run outs as well, further dismantling the Windies' batting lineup.

In chase of a paltry total of 45, India saw the dismissal of opening batswoman G Trisha in the very first over, though Kamalini G and Sanika Chalke meant the run-chase was going to be really simple and fast. With nine wickets left and at this ease and quick, the Indian wrapped it up within just 4.2 overs. This convincing win placed India at the top of Group A with two points and a brilliant net run rate of +8.646. It was a good start for India in its title defense.

Sri Lanka showed their mettle in the early part of the day as they took on Malaysia. Chosing to bowl first, Sri Lanka put up an impregnable defense as the hosts were made to return with a paltry 23. The crowd's disbelief at the scoreboard could be almost sensed. Chami Praboda led the Lanka bowling, claiming impressive figures of 3 for 5 while Lanka bowlers seemed in tearing hurry to take Malaysian batsman back to pavilion. Rashmika Sewwandi hit early, and sent the opener Irdina Beh back in the first over. Then Praboda took charge, dismissing two important batters. A stunning contribution from Manudi Nanayakkara who took two crucial wickets in the same over.

As Malaysia began to crumble under pressure, Sri Lanka's fielders did their part, too, and Aseni Thalagune's direct hit run out further added to the mounting pressure. Limansa Thilakaratne and Praboda kept taking wickets, and Malaysia was bowled out for a paltry 23 runs, a pathetic score that left little hope of comeback.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka's batting had been solid. Dahami Sanethma played the anchor role and, with a splendid knock of 55 runs off 52 balls he had included five boundaries. Sanethma's innings helped Sri Lanka set a total of 162/6. Despite Malaysia trying their best to brake the scoring with some vital wickets such as a double over Siti Nazwah, Sri Lanka pushed past 150 runs owing to late runs made by Sanethma and Shashini Gimhani.

Sanjana Kavindi and Hiruni Kumari also contributed immensely to the cause of Sri Lanka by playing their part in crucial contributions at the top and middle order. The blistering 30 off just 13 balls set the tone by Kavindi, while 28 off 21 balls ensured the innings was steady by Kumari.

Malaysia batted back strongly under the leadership of Siti Nazwah, who hunted two wickets within an over. However, Malaysia's total was nowhere near enough to defeat Sri Lanka, who amassed a humongous total. It took no time for Malaysia's innings to get momentum and eventually collapse, with Sri Lanka rubbing victory with a landslide margin of 139 runs.

In this round of Group A matches, India and Sri Lanka gave quite clear signals of intent to retain their titles with dominant performances against their opponents. For India, the victory was the perfect start towards defending their title while Sri Lanka showed their clinical all-round performance by winning.

Already, the early rounds of the tournament have seen plenty of exciting action, and as India and Sri Lanka both make winning starts, the ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup 2025 promises much more exciting matches as the tournament gets hotter and hotter. The strong performances by both these teams promise them to be a force to reckon with in the coming days.