U19 WC: G Trisha aims for a grand farewell with another trophy in Malaysia

New Delhi, Jan 18 (NationPress) There is a compelling reason why G Trisha regards the final of the 2023 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup as the most remarkable match in her budding cricketing journey.

On that day, India triumphed over England by seven wickets to secure the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup title in Potchefstroom, South Africa. During the chase of 69 runs, Trisha was the standout performer with a score of 24, although she did not have the opportunity to hit the winning runs.

Trisha fondly recalls the pride of India’s first World Cup victory in women’s cricket. However, another significant memory from that day lingers in her mind: she scored her match-winning 24 runs while battling through a hairline wrist fracture.

“Everyone thought I wouldn’t play, yet I managed to complete the match for India. This is particularly special to me because my physio came, hugged me, and cried. None of this would have been possible without the support from our staff, physio, and coaches during that time,” Trisha shared in an exclusive interview with IANS before heading to her second U19 World Cup in Malaysia.

As India prepares to kick off their campaign against West Indies on Sunday, their batting strategy will hinge on how the right-left combination of Trisha and G Kamalini performs at the top of the order. In India’s victorious campaign during the inaugural U19 Women’s Asia Cup in Malaysia, Trisha scored a total of 159 runs across five innings, averaging 53 and boasting a strike rate of 120.45. She earned the Player of the Match award in the final and was honored with the Player of the Tournament title.

Trisha, known for her solid technique and graceful strokes both along the ground and in the air, remains optimistic about leading India to another U19 World Cup victory and concluding her time at this level on a high note.

“Our success at the Asia Cup is not the only motivation; we have been practicing together for the past 6-7 months, fostering a great bond and enjoying our time. I’m incredibly thankful for this second opportunity in such a prestigious event,” she explained.

“I have been preparing for this role for quite some time, incorporating power-hitting training and everything necessary into my routine. Winning the World Cup again would be a significant achievement, as I wish to end my U19 journey on a high note,” Trisha added.

Despite her composed demeanor, Trisha acknowledges the contrasting personality of Kamalini on the field, especially considering the heated bidding for her in the WPL auction, culminating in her signing with Mumbai Indians.

“Kamalini is like a child; her batting is exceptional, but her personality shines through in her conversations. Playing alongside her and the other batters is always fun. We understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, and that enhances our performance,” Trisha noted.

Long before 2005, even prior to Trisha’s birth, her parents had made a commitment to nurture their child, regardless of gender, as a cricketer. GV Rami Reddy was so dedicated to Trisha’s cricketing aspirations that he resigned from his job as a fitness trainer at ITC in Bhadrachalam, Telangana, choosing to devote his time entirely to her career.

“I began playing cricket at the age of two, thanks to my parents, who cultivated my dream of becoming a cricketer. They were constantly present for my daily practice. Without my parents, particularly my dad, I wouldn’t be where I am today. His unwavering focus and confidence in me have been crucial,” she reminisced.

In 2013-14, Trisha, along with her parents, relocated to Hyderabad and enrolled at St. John’s Cricket Academy, under the guidance of John Manoj, who also mentored the legendary Indian cricketer Mithali Raj.

Although batting has always been Trisha's first love, she also trained as a fast bowler. However, one coach at the academy suggested she transition to leg-spin. “With the same action, I began bowling leg-spin. I earned the nickname of a mystery spinner from my India U19 captain, Niki Prasad, during the Asia Cup, who said, ‘you come and bowl with a different action, confusing the batters’,” Trisha explained, now training at the Coaching Beyond academy, where former India fielding coach R Sridhar is a key mentor.

At the age of eight, Trisha attended her first U16 selection trials in 2014, where she performed well, secured a spot in the inter-state competition, and became the highest run-scorer from the South Zone. At that time, she was the youngest player on the team, receiving plenty of support and attention.

She subsequently joined the U19 and U23 teams in Hyderabad in the following season, where current India U19 coach Nooshin Al Khadeer was at the helm. Trisha later participated in the U19 challenger trophy, quickly making her mark in preparations for the 2023 World Cup.

Trisha was part of the team when India clinched the quadrangular U19 series in Visakhapatnam, the home series against the New Zealand development squad in Mumbai, the away series against South Africa, culminating in the historic World Cup victory.

Although she has yet to debut in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Trisha recognizes its significant impact on women's cricket. “Firstly, many girls are inspired to play cricket after witnessing the WPL, which is a wonderful development. Traditionally, parents have been reluctant to encourage their daughters to pursue sports like cricket. However, after seeing WPL matches live, a positive change is evident as more girls are taking up the sport. This is a remarkable outcome of the tournament, and we are learning a great deal from the top players as well. The WPL trials present a different experience compared to our domestic games,” she expressed.

Off the field, Trisha finds joy in painting, a hobby she engages in during her tours. With her parents supporting her cricket aspirations, Trisha reveals they take a relaxed approach regarding her academics. “They encourage me to focus solely on cricket, saying, ‘just think about your performance on the field’,” she stated.

Trisha is one of three players, alongside Sonam Yadav and Shabnam Shakil, participating in their second U19 World Cup for India as their campaign begins on Sunday.

Following the senior men’s team’s recent 3-1 Test series defeat to Australia, the U19 women’s team has the opportunity to uplift cricket fans back home if they capture the trophy on February 2.

“Our coaches encourage us to savor every moment of the game. They offer unwavering support regardless of the situation. To our fans, please tune in for all our matches because we are determined to win the World Cup. Malaysia is quite hot, so there’s no cold or fog—just come and cheer for us,” concluded a resolute Trisha.