Connect with us
हिंदी اردو
Saturday,03-January-2026
Breaking News

Sports

Winning U19 Women’s T20 WC is the happiest moment I’ve ever felt, says Parunika Sisodia

Published

11 months ago

on

New Delhi, Feb 7: In the cricketing world, moments of pure euphoria are rare. But for Parunika Sisodia, the pure thrill and ecstasy of winning the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup for India, turned out to be the happiest moment she’s ever felt in her lifetime.

When Sanika Chalke hit a boundary off Monalisa Legodi at Kuala Lumpur’s Bayuemas Oval on February 2, it meant that India clinched the 2025 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup trophy and successfully defended the title they won in South Africa two years ago.

“Oh, I think I’ve never felt so well (when that winning shot was hit). I mean, what I felt after winning that World Cup, it was a dream for me because as I’ve told you earlier, I was not there in the first inaugural World Cup win, as I just missed the cut for it.

“Since then, to be actually going there and winning that World Cup for India, that moment was giving me goosebumps. Even talking about it is literally giving me goosebumps now, and that was like the happiest moment I’ve ever felt.”

Talking about celebrations in the Indian camp after winning the World Cup, Parunika said it was nothing short of epic. “I think we had no idea what we were doing. We were so happy that we were just raising our hands. We were just laughing and just soaking in that moment that we have finally won the World Cup.

“Everyone went crazy – someone was dancing on the ground; someone was lying on the ground. We had like quite an interesting photo shoot over there, which you must have seen now on all of our posts – the pookie one and then Bhavika (Ahire) did this Hardik Pandya-styled celebration. I guess there’s more of it, which is going to come now on social media.”

Parunika’s journey from missing out on triumph in 2023 to claiming ten wickets in the winning 2025 campaign highlights her consistent self-improvement and focus on being one of the main contributors to the team’s success in Malaysia.

“All I have ever worked on from the last two years, like how to make myself useful for the team and how to do things in ways where I can make sure that the team will win from here. When the World Cup came, I saw that I was doing it. So I was very excited to come back home and see my videos on how I have done it, because I know somewhere that I have achieved a little part of it,” she said.

One of her defining performances in the tournament came in the semi-final against England, where India were struggling to break the opening partnership. But Parunika came in and got the first two wickets before taking another one late in the innings to pick 3-21 and the Player-of-the-Match award.

While everyone may have felt the pressure of bouncing back in a crucial semi-final game, Parunika remarked that inside the Indian camp, the atmosphere was strikingly calm. “To be honest, inside the team, we didn’t have that much of pressure, which people could feel outside.

“But inside it was quite calm, and we just knew that there’s going to be one good ball and we’re going to get back in the game. That ball came with me because I think at that point of time, I had made that much trust in my team that if I am there, you’re going to be okay. Not just me, I think whenever the left arm spinners come, that gives a lot of pressure to the other teams.”

A big factor in India’s second consecutive U19 World Cup triumph was the left-arm spin—bowling group functioning like a well-oiled machine. Vaishnavi Sharma topped the wicket-taking charts with 17 scalps, while Aayushi Shukla took 14 wickets, as the duo along with Parunika became three of the four highest wicket-takers in the competition.

“We have been playing together for so long that all of us are family only. When any one of us was getting wickets, it literally felt like, ‘it’s our wicket’. There was this thing which we created is, whenever we were in the World Cup, when any of us was bowling, we were just looking in the eyes and we just knew what other person was saying to us.

“I think that has been the best part in this spinners group that you just know what the other person is doing and what I have to do next. Like, how the batters in our team have showed partnerships, I think the bowlers have done the same as a bowling side too,” added Parunika.

VVS Laxman, head of cricket at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, joined the Indian team in the dugout before the knockout matches and Parunika said he motivated the team by saying a lot of good things.

“But it concluded on one thing – just be calm at any given moment and always keep things simple and not overthink much and overdo things. I think it was something which helped all of us there in the finals and the semis as well.”

It also helped India that they had a calm captain in Niki Prasad, who just like Parunika put behind the disappointment of not making the squad for the previous U19 World Cup which India won under Shafali Verma’s captaincy.

But since December, Niki stepped up to lead India to winning the inaugural U19 Asia Cup and retaining the U19 World Cup silverware. A ruthless and dominant playing style, as laid down by Niki, led to both trophy wins, which in turn has set the foundation for creating a lasting legacy in women’s cricket in India.

“I think she (Niki) is one of the calmest persons I have ever met. So, even if, a lot of times it has happened that I or, one of the girls from the left-armers group did something which can piss anyone off.

“But she was calm and gave a very calm response that ‘don’t do that, do it like this’. She has always given a positive response to us. I think that was something which also helped us to be there and be ourselves.

“It’s been very special because getting 2 trophies, one with ICC and one with ACC, we are creating that legacy in women’s cricket now to keep winning those trophies.

“As Niki has mentioned a lot of times that we are here to dominate, and that was the goal – to be out there, be ruthless and just go for it no matter what. It is something which has given us a very good result. So, we feel quite satisfied with that. But definitely, we are focused on the coming up things now,” elaborated Parunika.

Prior to every game, Parunika always seek guidance from her father Sudhir Singh Sisodia, who is a cricket coach and was the one who encouraged her to switch from tennis to cricket in 2018.

“My dad didn’t talk much about how everyone is feeling at home. The only conversations we had were he always just told me ‘all the best, do well, enjoy the game and be yourself out there’.”

“The conversation has always been this for every single day since the time I was there from Asia Cup to the World Cup. He has told me to just go ahead, do well and let the results be results, and even if we were winning, he just told whatever is done is done.”

Although Parunika had two big months with trophy wins, her ambitions extend beyond that. Her sights are set on bigger goals, such as playing for India’s senior women’s team. She also knows that steady progress is essential to accomplishing her main goal.

“Obviously, stepping into the senior team is the main goal. But for now, I think I have my domestic cricket coming up, the under-23 one-dayers and the multi-days. So, I’ll be focusing on that for now. Then we have this Emerging Asia Cup, so, I’m eyeing that too,” she signed off.

Post Views: 49,305
Related Tags:

National News

Andhra Pradesh CM congratulates Koneru Humpy

Published

5 days ago

on

December 29, 2025

By

Amaravati, Dec 29: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday congratulated Koneru Humpy on winning the bronze medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championships.

“Champions are not defined by one result, but by the courage to compete at the highest level, again and again. A bronze on the world stage reflects true excellence. Your journey, consistency, and the pride you bring to India inspire millions,” the Chief Minister wrote on X.

He also congratulated Arjun Erigaisi on winning the bronze medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championship. “His podium finish makes him the only Indian male player to achieve this feat since Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand. A son of Telangana, Arjun, has added another chapter of pride to India’s illustrious chess legacy,” said CM Naidu.

Sports Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, Home Minister V. Anitha, Roads and Buildings Minister B. C. Janardhan Reddy and Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Chairman A. Ravi Naidu also congratulated Koneru Humpy.

Minister Ramprasad Reddy noted that Humpy has already won five medals at the FIDE World Rapid Championship. He said India was proud of her achievements.

He termed the woman chess champion as an inspiration for all women sportspersons and wished that she bring many more laurels to India and the state.

SAAP Chairman Ravi Naidu said that Humpy has made India proud by winning five medals at the FIDE Championship.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar also congratulated Arjun Erigaisi.

“Congratulations to the son of the soil on securing the bronze medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championship. With this achievement, he becomes the only Indian male player to reach the podium at this event since Viswanathan Anand. Telangana is proud of your achievements,” posted Bandi Sanjay.

He also congratulated Koneru Humpy on winning the bronze medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championship and said that she continues to make India proud.

Post Views: 70,253
Continue Reading

Sports

Virat Kohli completes 16,000 List A runs on Vijay Hazare Trophy return

Published

1 week ago

on

December 24, 2025

By

Bengaluru, Dec 24: Virat Kohli has once again etched his name in cricketing history, reaching the remarkable milestone of 16,000 List A runs during his return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Wednesday.

Playing for Delhi in their clash against Andhra Pradesh here at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, Kohli achieved the feat with his first run in the team’s chase of 299. This landmark moment further cements his status as one of the greatest ever in the 50-over format.

Kohli’s 16,000-run feat makes him only the second Indian player, after legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar, to reach this figure in List A cricket. The 37-year-old now stands as the ninth player overall to breach this milestone, joining the ranks of cricketing legends like Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, Sir Vivian Richards, and others.

Kohli’s last appearance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy came during the 2010-11 season, where he captained Delhi. He would go on to play in the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy in 2013-14 but had not participated in the Vijay Hazare for nearly a decade before this comeback. His return to the competition was eagerly anticipated, and his achievement was a fitting start to Delhi’s campaign.

While the milestone of 16,000 List A runs stands as a testament to Kohli’s excellence, his ODI record continues to shine even brighter. He remains the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history, behind only Sachin Tendulkar.

With 14,557 runs in 308 matches at an extraordinary average of 58.46, Kohli is the fastest player to 14,000 runs in ODI cricket. He also boasts the most centuries in the format, with 53 to his name.

Despite his long and storied career, Kohli is still chasing Tendulkar’s record of 60 centuries in List A cricket. He currently holds 57 centuries, four ahead of Tendulkar’s former record of 53 in the ODI format.

Having made his List A debut back in 2006 for Delhi in the Ranji One-Day Tournament, Kohli’s career has been nothing short of spectacular. Over the years, he has represented Delhi in various domestic competitions, with standout performances in the 50-over format.

Post Views: 37,207
Continue Reading

Crime

One more accused arrested for vandalism during Lionel Messi’s Kolkata event

Published

2 weeks ago

on

December 17, 2025

By

Kolkata, Dec 17: One more person has been arrested in connection with the vandalism during Lionel Messi’s event at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, taking the number of those arrested to six, the Bidhannagar police said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed by the West Bengal government on Tuesday, began its probe into the matter.

According to police sources, the sixth arrest was made late on Tuesday night. The arrested person has been identified as Rupak Mandal. Police sources said that the accused will be produced before the Bidhannagar Sub-Divisional Court and charged with vandalism, creating disorder and disrupting law and order at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan.

The sources also said that several other individuals are suspected of being involved in the incident, and they may also be interrogated, if necessary. It has also been hinted that the number of arrests may increase in the coming days based on the progress of the investigation, and once the examination of CCTV and other video footages are completed.

The sources stressed that they are investigating how the situation spiralled out of control on the day of the incident, who directly participated in the vandalism, and who instigated the violence from behind the scenes. It was learnt that investigators are separately analysing the role of each arrested accused.

Noting the seriousness of the incident and the questions raised about security arrangements at Yuva Bharati, one of the state’s most prominent sports stadiums, the state government has formed the SIT, which will focus on how the disorder spread at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, where the security lapses occurred, and whether there was any negligence on the part of the responsible agencies or officials.

According to administrative sources, the SIT members visited the Yuva Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday. They are inspecting the site, assessing the extent of the vandalism, and the amount of damage. After reviewing the situation, they will prepare a detailed report on the security arrangements on the day of the incident.

Meanwhile, following this incident, the administration is considering strengthening security measures for future large-scale events at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan. It includes ensuring adequate police surveillance, increased security checks at entry points and the use of modern technology to control crowds.

On December 13, the Salt Lake Stadium was full long before Messi’s event began, with spectators waiting to see their favourite footballer.

As soon as Messi arrived, many people surrounded him, trying to take pictures. As Messi’s security guards were also there, a chaotic situation prevailed overall, and spectators complained that they couldn’t even see him.

Messi left the field within just 22 minutes. After that, vandalism began. Chairs and bottles were thrown onto the field from the stands. Many spectators broke down the gates and entered the field.

Vandalism occurred in the galleries and restrooms of the Yuva Bharati Krirangan. Following this incident, the state government formed an investigation committee. Event organiser Satadru Dutta was arrested. On Tuesday, Aroop Biswas resigned as state Sports Minister while top IPS officers, including DGP Rajeev Kumar, were issued a show-cause notice.

Post Views: 57,624
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending