Twitter Reactions: India brush aside New Zealand to seal first-ever U19 Women's World Cup finals spot

The Shafali Verma-led Indian side put up a terrific performance against New Zealand in the first semi-final of the inaugural U19 Women’s World Cup to clinch a magnificent eight-wicket victory. Thanks to Parshavi Chopra’s match-winning three-wicket haul and Shweta Sehrawat's unbeaten knock, the Women in Blue made their way to the U19 World Cup finals in style. 

Winning the toss, India put New Zealand to bat first. The Indian side was off to a great start as Soumya Tiwari’s brilliant fielding efforts at the first slip helped Mannat Kashyap get the first wicket in just the second over of the game. Titas Sadhu struck in the very next over and dismissed Emma McLeod as the opening batters were off to the pavilion in no time.

Georgia Plimmer and Isabella Gaze tried to stabilize the innings and sailed through the powerplay, but Parshavi Chopra wreaked havoc with the ball and picked up the next three wickets as New Zealand were reduced to 74/5 at the end of 13 overs. Indian bowlers took charge of the game thereon, and the opposition batters could not do much as they finished scoring 107/9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Shweta Sehrawat takes India to the finals

India’s start to the chase was fiery, as openers Shafali Verma and Shweta Sehrawat got to business from the word go. The skipper’s poor form with the bat continued as Verma was not able to put up a remarkable knock, and was dismissed scoring 10 runs off nine deliveries. But Sehrawat continued to showcase her top form and notched up majority of India’s runs during the chase. 

After Verma’s dismissal, Soumya Tiwari joined Sehrawat in the middle and fulfilled her role brilliantly. She contributed with a 26-ball 22, including three boundaries, but Shweta’s unbeaten knock of a 45-ball 61, which included ten boundaries, helped India finish off the chase with ease as she also became the leading run-scorer of the tournament. The Women in Blue will now be meeting either Australia or England in the finals and will be aiming for their first-ever ICC title.

Here's how Twitter reacted:

Into the final!

Congratulations girls, another crushing win for #TeamIndia. Parshavi Chopra once again delivered a magical spell and we have found a gem in Shweta Sehrawat. Marvellous effort, best wishes for the final on Sunday. 👍 #U19WorldCup pic.twitter.com/QECkblnb2H

— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) January 27, 2023

#TeamIndia march into the Finals of the #U19T20WorldCup.

They become the first team to reach the finals of the inaugural #U19T20WorldCup 💪💥👏

Way to go #WomenInBlue! pic.twitter.com/4H0ZUpghkA

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 27, 2023

India are the first team to make it to the final of the ICC Women's #U19T20WorldCup 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/B132kDTP2t

— ICC (@ICC) January 27, 2023

India are the first team to make it to the final of the ICC Women's #U19T20WorldCup 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/yQccRoUS0l

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) January 27, 2023

🏆 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋! Congratulations to Shafali & co. on making it to the final of the inaugural Women's U19 T20 World Cup.

💙 We are coming for the trophy!

📷 Getty • #INDvNZ #NZvIND #U19T20WorldCup #TeamIndia #BharatArmy #COTI🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/ZDhYLPL0Km

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) January 27, 2023

The way Shweta Sehrawat has raised her level has been incredible. She wasn’t in form heading into the WC, often getting out trying to hit too hard. But she’s looked a class apart and is the highest run-scorer in the tournament as India storm into the final.#U19T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Rmv7JYOoff

— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) January 27, 2023

Mood after that ICC Women's #U19T20WorldCup Semi-final! #INDvNZ

Final, #AavaDe pic.twitter.com/5KFoSguMBu

— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) January 27, 2023

INDIA ARE THROUGH TO THE FINAL OF THE INAUGURAL UNDER-19 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

"Chak de, India!" plays at the ground in Potchefstroom, South Africa, a country where an Indian women's team played a cricket World Cup final for the first time, back in 2005.

📷Fancode | #U19T20WC pic.twitter.com/K9rZVKJ57l

— Annesha Ghosh (@ghosh_annesha) January 27, 2023

Good luck girls!!!❤️🔥🔥 https://t.co/3akziLvrjQ

— Yastika Bhatia (@YastikaBhatia) January 27, 2023