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Niki Prasad is all set to captain the Indian team in the much-awaited opening Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025starting with a crash against West Indies Sunday in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia to host the 2024 Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup
Malaysia’s hosting of the Under-19 Women’s T20WC will mark its first major cricket event since the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2008. The tournament will feature 16 teams competing over a 16-day period, with matches taking place in different locations around the country. The competition is divided into four groups during the opening phase, with each team playing a series of exciting matches. A total of 41 matches will be played, making it a full and very competitive schedule. This marks an important milestone for Malaysia as they welcome cricketing nations from across Asia, providing a platform for young talents to shine on the international stage.
Niki Prasad will lead India in the second edition of the U-19 World Cup
His appointment comes after a string of impressive performances, including leading India B to victory in the U19 tri-series in Pune. Prasad has established herself as a versatile cricketer, excelling as both a top-order batsman and an effective off-spin bowler. As the defending champions, India will be looking to build on their success since the inaugural edition held in South Africa in 2023 where Shafali Verma guided the team to victory. Now, the onus to steer the team forward falls on Prasad, who also captained India to victory in the Women’s Under-19 Asia Cup held in Kuala Lumpur earlier.
1. First beginnings and inspiration
Niki Prasad was born on October 25, 2005 in Bangalore, Karnataka. From an early age, she was drawn to cricket, inspired by the sport while watching her brother play. At just six years old, he started playing with a tennis ball in his neighborhood, which soon turned into a passion for leather ball cricket. His first fascination was fueled by his cousin, fueling his desire to take the sport seriously.
2. Family support and early training
Niki’s parents were quick to recognize his potential and offered unwavering support in his cricketing journey. His mother, in particular, was a constant presence at his matches and training sessions, often accompanying him 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 fair cricket academy
In 2018/19, Niki joined the renowned Just Cricket Academy in Bangalore. Under the guidance of experienced coaches including Vinayak Sir, he started perfecting his cricketing techniques. The academy provided him with access to structured training, fitness routines and facilities to develop both his batting and bowling skills.
4. Transition to hard ball cricket
Niki’s transition from tennis ball cricket to leather ball cricket marked a major turning point in his career. Recognizing his dedication and natural talent, his coaches at Just Cricket Academy emphasized technical development and match preparation, enabling him to face more competitive challenges.
5. Leadership qualities shine through at a young age
From a young age, Niki showed strong leadership qualities, often taking on the responsibility of leading her team during U16 and U19 matches. Her calm demeanor, tactical awareness and ability to handle pressure made her stand out as captain. In 2022, she led Karnataka to the quarter-finals of the Under-19 Women’s T20 Trophy against Bengal, where she strategically deployed her best bowlers early, leading her team to a remarkable victory despite scoring only 59 racing
6. A major setback: Exclusion from the Under-19 Women’s 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. That exclusion, based on concerns about his strike rate, fueled his determination to improve. He recognized the need to elevate his game, especially his hitting power, and underwent intensive training to perfect his batting technique and improve his strike rate.
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7. Turn setbacks into motivation
Instead of getting discouraged, Niki used this setback 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 great bat speed, timing and technique. He also adjusted his diet, cutting out junk food to improve his fitness.
8. Breakthrough performance in Challenger Trophy T20 2024
The dedication paid off during the T20 Challenger Trophy 2024, where Niki emerged as the top run-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. His performance helped Karnataka reach the final and showed his transition into a powerful batsman, a crucial asset in modern T20 cricket.
9. Captained 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 stages of groups, chasing totals comfortably. In the final against Bangladeshher smart use of bowlers and tactical decisions led India to a comprehensive 41-run victory, reinforcing her skills as both a captain and a player.
10. Signing with Delhi Capitals in WPL 2025
By the end of 2024, Niki’s impressive performances earned him a well-deserved contract with the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. He is looking forward to learning from cricketing legends like Meg Lanning, Marizanne Kapp i 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 deeply inspired by Rahul Dravidthe technique, the discipline and the values of which he wants to emulate. As he progressed in his cricketing journey, he also developed a great 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 also idolizes Harmanpreet Kaurreflecting his calm and calculated captaincy. Harmanpreet’s composure under pressure and ability to lead with justice has inspired Niki deeply. She admires Kaur’s leadership philosophy, which focuses on keeping the team together even in stressful situations. Niki’s own leadership style is heavily influenced by Harmanpreet’s approach, which values discipline, fosters unity and promotes fairness among teammates. As a leader, Niki strives to earn respect through her composure and fair decision-making, making sure her team stays focused no matter the circumstances.
READ also: 5 Indian players to watch out for in ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025
This article was first published in WomenCricket.coma Cricket time company
