Niki Prasad receives her trophy from the ICC chair. Let the celebration begin! India are champions in 2025, like they were in 2023.

"All of us tried to stay calm, remained down to earth and stuck to doing our job," says victorious captain Niki Prasad. "We wanted to go out there and show what we can do. Thanks to the BCCI for giving us the best facilities. I'm feeling happy that I'm right here standing, making sure India stays on top. It's a special moment. Start of the tournament I mentioned we're here to dominate, to ensure India is here to stay on top. The South Africans have been playing really well, we've been playing against them for a long time, the character they've shown is nice to see, really nice to compete against them."

"Lot of emotions within the team but will not take anything away from this team and management, we've worked really hard for this moment," says South Africa captain Kayla Reyneke. "Tough to not take the trophy home. Getting to our first-ever final is a proud moment, that's special. Cricket is a team sport, couldn't have done it without them and the management on the side. This is motivation for us to come back stronger in 2027. Mum, dad - won't be coming home with the trophy but I've got my medallion."

G Trisha is Player of the tournament for her 309 runs and seven wickets. This includes the tournament's only century, against Scotland. She collects her award from ICC Hall of Famer and former India spinner Neetu David. "Would like to dedicate this to my dad who is here. Always consider myself as an allrounder. Goal is to play for the country and win more matches."

G Trisha is Player of the Match for her 3/15 and 44 not out. "Means everything to me, right now not able to say anything. Thank everyone for supporting me. Plan was to always focus on my strengths, did the same thing today as well. Always look up to Mithali di.

4.02pm " Cup ah thookitom ," yells G Kamalini into the mic. The look of delight on her face - it must be such a proud moment for her family back home in Chennai. As a kid growing up in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Kamalini was into inline skating. She was so good at it that she had her own showcase at home to display her medals and trophies. But she wanted to play cricket like her brother. She took up the game when she was 11 and it soon became an "obsession". Here she is now, six years later, on the grandest stage of them all, as an Under-19 world champion.

Mahesh: "Not enough being said about Niki Prasad's brilliant captaincy throughout the tournament. Her constant bowling changes didn't let batters settle at any point."

Deepak Bansal: "I think there was a South African casualty on the last delivery. I think the fielder there have had a collision with the Indian players itching to get on the field. I hope the player is okay." -- You're absolutely right.

The South African team is in a huddle, heads down and tears streaming down. But they're all attentively listening to the coaches and captain. They're heartbroken, but they'll soon realise the magnitude of what they've achieved by getting this far. It's a case of being so near, but yet so far again for the South Africans. But make no mistake, it was a peerless campaign up until the grand finale.

4pm Two editions of total supremacy. India have shown the gulf that exists between them and the rest of the back at the junior level. When the emotions sink in, South Africa will know there's absolutely no shame in being vanquished on the day by a much-superior Indian team, led astutely by Niki Prasad. They used their plethora of spin options to apply the squeeze on South Africa on a slow surface and have comfortably chased down the runs without breaking a sweat.

For both teams, realisation will dawn soon while this is a massive step in their career it's the progress they make from here that will define their career trajectory.

"Dreamt of it from the past two years, can't explain how I feel," yelps Sanika Chalke. "Remarkable step for us."

Dhruv Sharma: "Hey Shashank, it's almost 3 am here in Texas, and watching Indian girls lift the world cup is just amazing to watch!"

Match State: Drinks