Trisha Makes History

A century is always special for any cricketer, but even more so when your family are in the crowd watching you make history.

That was the case for Gongadi Trisha, as the Indian opener became the first player to make a century at an ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, hitting 110 not out in her side’s 150-run victory over Scotland. The 19-year-old was imperious at the crease, forging a 147-run opening partnership with G Kamalini before pushing on to an historic three figures.

Trisha then added three wickets with the ball to cap a remarkable day, particularly with her family watching on at the Bayeumas Oval.

“It was extremely special for me to have them in the crowd today,” she said. “My family has been my absolute pillar of support and has always been encouraging. It feels surreal to me that I could score a hundred and then take three wickets in front of them.

“I did not see this coming, honestly. I never imagined that I would be the first one to score a hundred in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. The feeling is still sinking in for me.”

Trisha combined with Kamalini for a lightning-fast start after India were put into bat by Scotland, with the pair racking up 67 runs in the powerplay.

That proved the perfect foundation, with Kamalini earning a half-century of her own before falling for India’s sole wicket on 51.

While there were plenty of boundaries between the pair, they were also made to run the hard yards, particularly as Trisha crept towards her century and she revealed that was key to putting up such an impressive total.

She added: “I tried to keep things simple for myself. I was focused on sticking to my process and played freely. I looked to attack the bowlers to keep the scoreboard ticking.

“It also helped greatly that I had G Kamalini at the other end. We were discussing our batting plans as we went along.

“Like every other player in the team, my aim is always to contribute for the team. I was looking to score as many runs as I can and give the team a solid start, but I think it was my day and I am glad to score that hundred for my team.”

Scotland’s response to an imposing target of 209 was strong, with Pippa Kelly finding the boundary three times in the opening over. Their run chase was quickly snuffed out by left-arm spin pair Aayushi Shukla and Vaishnavi Sharma, who took seven wickets between them to reduce Scotland to 42 for seven, before Trisha finished off the innings with three wickets of her own, including two in two balls.

“I enjoy my bowling, and I do work on my bowling during the practice,” she said.

“It feels great to have contributed with the bat and ball in the team’s win. It would have been to have picked up a hat-trick, but I am just glad that I picked three wickets as we secured a win.”

India’s attentions now turn to their semi-final, with Trisha eyeing more history on the ground she made her century as her side eye back-to-back tournament victories – but her team are not looking too far ahead just yet.

“It would be great to retain the title, we, as a team, are taking one game at a time and fully focused on the semi-final currently,” she said.

“If we continue to play well as a unit, the other things will fall in place. We are working hard as a unit and the support staff is making sure that we stick to our routines and keep things simple.

“Our aim as a team is clear, try and do our absolute best and put in one hundred per cent whenever we take the field.

“We have followed this right through this tournament and we will continue to do so as we look to better our previous performances in the semi-final.”