ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025: Parunika Sisodia credits her father as inspiration to play cricket

As with every game, Parunika Sisodia talked to her father to be ready for her ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 semi-final.

After playing domestic cricket in India, Sudhir Singh Sisodia is now a cricket coach. Although his daughter initially preferred tennis over cricket, she has since developed a love for the game.

Sisodia is thrilled to be able to return her father’s support after leading India to a second consecutive final in the competition.

“I woke up very early today and had nothing to do,” she added. I went to our team room and practiced yoga and meditation there. After that, I returned, had breakfast, and spoke with my father.

“I always consult my father before attending a game. He is now a coach after playing domestic cricket, and our relationship has grown stronger as a result of my participation. Every time he took me to a ground when I was younger, I wasn’t initially fascinated, but with time, I began to develop an interest. Seeing his daughter select the game he liked makes him the happiest person alive. Giving my dad that joy makes me very pleased.

England got off to a fast start after Parunika Sisodia was tossed the ball, soaring to 37 for nil after four overs.

India has won every match handily to go to the semi-finals.

Before returning to dismiss the dangerous Katie Jones, she immediately made an impact by bowling out Jemima Spence and Trudy Johnson to stop the run-flow. The left-arm spinner bowled out all three batters.

Aayushi Shukla and Vaishnavi Sharma worked together with Sisodia to shift the momentum in India’s favor, and England was eventually able to produce 113 for eight from their 20 overs.

Gongadi Trisha (35) and G Kamalini (56 not out) helped them win by nine wickets, so Sisodia was thrilled about the chance to play South Africa in the final and maybe defend the crown.

Reaching the final and doing well throughout the competition was the aim, she continued. The team’s and the support staff’s assistance has been fantastic. It’s been an amazing journey. For us, this squad has become like home.

Our guiding principle is to simply enjoy the game and not worry about pressure. We will face whatever comes our way together. “Eleven against all” applies. For the past seven or eight months, we have been playing together. Our support team has consistently been there to ensure that we are having fun and that we are together.

Being in the final makes me happier than winning player of the match or taking those wickets. I have been experiencing butterflies in my tummy since this morning. Now that we’re there, it’s laid back; we have one more game left.

“Our objective is to dominate, and we will always be ruthless and dominant when we enter the field.”