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niki prasad is all set to captain the Indian team in the much-awaited inauguration Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025starting with a crash against West Indies in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
Malaysia will host the 2024 U19 T20 Women’s World Cup
Malaysia’s hosting of the under-19 women’s T20WC will mark its first major cricket event since ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2008. The tournament will see 16 teams compete over a 16-day period, with matches taking place at various venues across the country. The competition is divided into four groups during the initial stage, with each team playing a series of exciting matches. A total of 41 games will be played, making it a very complete and very competitive schedule. This marks an important milestone for Malaysia as it welcomes cricketing nations from across Asia, providing a platform for young talent to shine on an international stage.
Niki Prasad will lead India in the second edition of the U-19 World Cup
His appointment comes after a series of impressive performances, including leading India B to victory in the U19 tri-series in Pune. Prasad has established herself as an all-round cricketer, excelling as a top-order batsman and an effective bowler. As the reigning champions, India will look to build on the success of the inaugural edition held in South Africa in 2023, where Shafali Verma led the team to victory. Now, the responsibility of leading the team falls on Prasad, who also captained India to victory in the U-19 Women’s Asia Cup held earlier in Kuala Lumpur.
1. First beginnings and inspiration
Niki Prasad was born on October 25, 2005 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. From an early age, she was drawn to cricket, drawing inspiration from the sport while watching her brother play. At just six years old, he began playing with a tennis ball in his neighborhood, which soon evolved into a passion for leather ball cricket. His cousin fueled his initial fascination, which fueled his desire to take the sport seriously.
2. Supportive family and early training
Niki’s parents quickly recognized her potential and provided her with unwavering support on her cricket journey. Her mother, in particular, was constantly present at her matches and training, often accompanying her to various clubs and academies in Bengaluru. This encouragement laid the foundation for Niki’s commitment to the sport, allowing her to pursue her passion alongside her education.
3. Join cricket academy
In 2018/19, Niki joined the renowned Just Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Under the guidance of experienced coaches including Vinayak Sir, he started honing his cricket techniques. The academy provided him with access to structured training, fitness routines and facilities to develop his skills in both batting and bowling.
4. Transition to hard ball cricket
Niki’s transition from tennis ball cricket to leather ball cricket marked a significant turning point in his career. Recognizing his dedication and natural talent, his coaches at Just Cricket Academy emphasized technical development and match preparation, allowing him to take on more competitive challenges.
5. Leadership qualities shine at a young age
From a young age, Niki displayed strong leadership qualities, often taking on the responsibility of leading his team during U16 and U19 matches. Her calm demeanor, tactical awareness and ability to handle pressure made her stand out as a captain. In 2022, she led Karnataka in the quarter-finals of the U-19 Women’s T20 Trophy against Bengal, where she strategically deployed her best bowlers from the start, leading her team to a remarkable victory despite scoring only 59 runs.
6. A big setback: exclusion from the Women’s U19 T20 World Cup
In 2022, Niki faced her first major setback when she was not selected for the inaugural Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup. This exclusion, based on concerns about his strike rate, fueled his determination to improve. He recognized the need to improve his game, particularly his batting power, and underwent intensive training to refine his batting technique and improve his strike rate.
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7. Turn setbacks into motivation
Instead of becoming discouraged, Niki used this setback as a springboard to work harder. He joined the Just Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and worked closely with his coach to focus on power hitting, developing great speed, timing and bat technique. He also adjusted his diet, eliminating junk food to improve his physical condition.
8. Breakthrough performance at the 2024 Challenger T20 Trophy
The dedication paid off during the 2024 Challenger T20 Trophy, where Niki emerged as the top scorer. He amassed 162 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 125.58, demonstrating his ability to clear boundaries and play aggressive cricket effectively. Her performance helped Karnataka reach the final and showed her transition into a powerful batsman, a crucial asset in modern T20 cricket.
9. Captaining India A to victory
Niki’s leadership reached new heights during the 2024 Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup in Malaysia, where she captained India A. Her strategic brilliance was on full display as India dominated the group stage, chasing totals comfortably. In the final against Bangladeshher intelligent use of bowlers and tactical decisions led India to a comprehensive 41-run victory, reinforcing her skills as a captain and player.
10. Sign with Delhi Capitals in WPL 2025
At the end of 2024, Niki’s impressive performances earned him a well-deserved contract with the Delhi Capitals (DC) in it Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. He hopes to learn from cricket legends like Meg Lanning, Marizanne Kapp and Jemimah Rodrigues. This signing represents an important milestone in his career, as it opens the door to greater exposure and high-level competition.
11. Admirers and mentors: Rahul Dravid, Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur
Niki is deeply inspired by Rahul Dravidwhose technique, discipline and values he seeks to emulate. As his cricketing journey progressed, he also developed a great admiration for Mithali Rajwhose leadership and perseverance in women’s cricket motivated Niki to strive for greatness. His batting style reflects a combination of Dravid’s technical precision and Raj’s tactical approach to the game.
Niki also idolizes Harmanpreet Kaurreflecting his calm and calculated captaincy. Harmanpreet’s composure under pressure and her ability to lead fairly have deeply inspired Niki. He admires Kaur’s leadership philosophy, which focuses on maintaining team composure even in tense situations. Niki’s leadership style is heavily influenced by Harmanpreet’s approach: valuing discipline, fostering unity, and promoting fairness among teammates. As a leader, Niki strives to earn respect through her composure and fair decision making, ensuring her team stays focused, no matter the circumstances.
Also READ: 5 Indian players to watch out for in ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025
This article was first published on WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times business.
