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Niki Prasad set to captain the Indian team in the much anticipated inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025began a battle against West Indies in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.
Malaysia is set to host the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
Malaysia’s hosting of the Women’s U19 T20WC will mark their first major cricketing event since ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2008. The tournament will see 16 teams compete over 16 days, with matches taking place in various locations across the country. The competition is divided into four groups during the initial stage, where each team plays a series of exciting fixtures. A total of 41 matches will be played, making it a packed and highly competitive schedule. This marks an important milestone for Malaysia as they welcome cricketing nations from across Asia, providing a platform for young talent to shine on an international stage.
Niki Prasad to lead India in the second edition of the U19 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 established himself as a versatile cricketer, excelling as a top-order batter and an effective off-spin bowler. As the reigning champions, India will be looking to build on their success from the inaugural edition held in South Africa in 2023, where Shafali Verma guided the team to victory. Now, the responsibility of driving the team forward lies with Prasad, who also captained India to victory in the Women’s U19 Asia Cup held in Kuala Lumpur earlier.
1. Early beginnings and inspiration
Niki Prasad was born on October 25, 2005, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. From an early age, he was attracted to cricket, inspired by the game while watching his brother play. At just six years old, he started playing tennis ball in his neighborhood, which soon turned into a passion for leather-ball cricket. His early interest was nurtured by his cousin, who encouraged his desire to take the sport seriously.
2. Supportive family and early training
Niki’s parents were quick to recognize her potential and provided unwavering support to her cricketing journey. His mother, in particular, was a constant presence at his matches and training sessions, often accompanying him to various clubs and academies across Bengaluru. This motivation laid the foundation for Niki’s commitment to the sport, allowing her to pursue her passion alongside her education.
3. Join cricket academy only
In 2018/19, Niki joined the prestigious Just Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, including Vinayak Sir, he began refining his cricketing techniques. The academy gave him access to structured training, fitness routines, and facilities to improve his batting and bowling skills.
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 the Just Cricket Academy emphasized technical development and game readiness, enabling him to face more competitive challenges.
5. Leadership qualities shine at a young age
From a young age, Niki showed strong leadership qualities, always taking on the responsibility of leading his team during U16 and U19 games. His calm demeanor, tactical awareness, and ability to handle pressure make him outstanding as a captain. In 2022, she led Karnataka to the Women’s Under-19 T20 Trophy pre-quarterfinal against Bengal, where she strategically deployed her top bowlers early, leading her team to a remarkable victory despite to score only 59 runs.
6. A big loss – U19 Women’s T20 World Cup exclusion
In 2022, Niki faced her first major defeat when she was not selected for the inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. This exclusion, based on concerns about his strike rate, fueled his determination to improve. He recognized the need to raise his game, especially his power-hitting, and underwent intensive training to refine his batting technique and improve his strike rate.
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7. Turn failures into motivation
Instead of getting discouraged, Niki used this failure as a stepping stone to work harder. He joined the Just Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and worked closely with his coach to focus on power-hitting, developing strong bat speed, timing, and technique. He also changed his diet, eliminating junk food to improve his physical health.
8. Breakthrough performance in the 2024 T20 Challenger Trophy
The dedication paid off during the 2024 T20 Challenger Trophy, where Niki emerged as the top scorer. He amassed 162 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 125.58, showing his ability to clear boundaries and play aggressive cricket effectively. His performance helped Karnataka reach the finals and showed his transition into a power-hitter, an important asset in modern T20 cricket.
9. India A’s captaincy 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 stages, comfortably chasing totals. In the final vs Bangladeshhis smart use of bowlers and tactical decisions led India to a comprehensive 41-run victory, cementing his skills as a captain and a player.
10. Signing Delhi Capitals in WPL 2025
In late 2024, Niki’s impressive performances earned him a well-deserved contract with Delhi Capitals (DC) on Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. He is eager to learn from cricketing legends like Meg Lanning, Marizanne Kapp and Jemimah Rodrigues. This signing is an important milestone in his career, opening the door to more exposure and high-level competition.
11. Admirers and mentors – Rahul Dravid, Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur
Niki is very encouraging Rahul Dravidwhose technique, discipline, and values he wanted to follow. As he progressed in his cricket journey, he also developed a lot of admiration Mithali Rajwhose leadership and perseverance in women’s cricket motivated Niki to strive for greatness. His batting style reflects a blend of Dravid’s technical precision and Raj’s tactical approach to the game.
Niki is also an idol Harmanpreet Kaurmirroring his calm and calculated captaincy. Harmanpreet’s composure under pressure and ability to lead with fairness inspired Niki greatly. He praised Kaur’s leadership philosophy, which focused on keeping the team together even in stressful situations. Niki’s own leadership style is heavily influenced by Harmanpreet’s values of discipline, promoting unity, and promoting fairness among teammates. As a leader, Niki strives to earn respect through her calm and fair decision-making, making sure her team stays focused, regardless of the circumstances.
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This article was first published on WomenCricket.coma Cricket season company.
