India women's U-19 team skipper Nikki Prasad has said that being the defending champions, her team has come in with the confidence to retain the title as the world's best at the junior level. Having won the Asia Cup title last month, the youngsters would now look to defend their title, which was won by Shafali Verma and her team in 2023 in South Africa. This year, it is being played in Malaysia.

After a nine-wicket drubbing of the West Indies, Nikki opened up on how her side plans to go about their title defence after the brilliant win.

The Indian bowlers put on a dominant display, ripping through the Windies batting line-up to restrict them to just 44 runs in the 14th over, then chasing down the target with ease within the powerplay.

“Being the champions last time, we are just coming in with that confidence. And we are here to win so that is what we will try to do every game," Nikki was quoted as saying by ICC.

“Playing tournaments like the Women’s Premier League and the Challenger Trophy gives you a lot of confidence when you get scores or when you get wickets, you are then quite confident to come here and show what you can do," Nikki added.

Players like Andhra Pradesh medium-pacer Shabnam Shakil have played for the Gujarat Giants while player of the match VJ Joshitha was picked up by defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore in the auction last month.

Joshitha, Aayushi Shukla and Parunika Sisodia were the best performers and looked way better in calibre than the Windies batters throughout their spells.

Joshitha and Aayushi picked two wickets apiece and Parunika completed the Indian carnage by bagging three wickets. The Windies' innings with the bat included three run-outs as well.

India will next play hosts Malaysia on January 21.

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