The India under-19 women’s team sealed a 3-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka u-19 with a lap of honour around the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium as a mark of gratitude to the 500-odd spectators who egged them on. Watching on from a distance was head coach Nooshin Al Khadeer, who has made successes, big and small, something of a habit.

Nooshin, who took over the u-19 setup in 2022, will eye a hat-trick of T20 World Cup crowns when the third edition starts early next year.

“We have zonal camps every year in April and May. Usually, they’re at different venues, but we were lucky to have this year’s camp at the Bengaluru Centre of Excellence. It helped us identify and mould the skills these girls have,” Nooshin told The Hindu.

This was the first preparatory assignment for this group. Nooshin and the selectors will keep close tabs on the domestic season, which starts with the u-19 T20 Trophy Elite on Oct. 9, and assignments like the tour of England and the proposed Asia Cup to firm up the World Cup squad for the 2027 edition.

“The ultimate goal is to build a great bench and reach a point where we can push in two Indian teams coming in, and that’s going to happen.”

As for Nooshin, she prefers being in the shadows.

“I’m not too crazy about the limelight. These players are the ones who are going to steal the show, and that’s what we’re looking for”.

The scores: Sri Lanka u-19 116/7 in 20 overs (Nethmi Upeksha 51 n.o.) lost to India u-19 120/3 in 18.4 overs (Bhavika Ahire 50); Toss: SL; PoS: Bhavika.