Everything you need to know about Niki Prasad – Captain of the Indian team in the 2025 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup

Nikki Prasad Will captain India in the much-anticipated inaugural edition 2025 U19 Women’s T20 World Cupwhich begins with a conflict west indies in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Malaysia to host 2024 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup

Malaysia hosting the Women’s U19 T20WC will mark the first time Malaysia has hosted a major cricket event since the Women’s Under-19 Cricket Championship ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup In 2008, the event will see 16 teams compete over a 16-day period at various venues across the country. At the beginning of the game, there are four groups, and each group will play a series of exciting games. A total of 41 games will be played, and the schedule is compact and highly competitive. This is a significant milestone for Malaysia as they welcome cricketing nations from across Asia, providing a platform for young talents to shine on the international stage.

Nikki Prasad leads India in second U19 World Cup

Her appointment comes after a string of impressive performances, including guiding India B to victory in the U19 tri-series in Pune. Prasad has emerged as a versatile cricketer who is both a top-order batsman and an efficient off-spin bowler. Defending champions, India will look to build on their success in the inaugural World Cup in South Africa in 2023, with Shafali Verma leading the team to victory. Now, the onus of taking the team forward falls to Prasad, who also led India to victory in the U19 Women’s Asia Cup held in Kuala Lumpur earlier.

1. Early Beginnings and Inspiration

Niki Prasad was born on October 25, 2005 in Bangalore, Karnataka. She has been interested in cricket from a young age and was inspired by the game while watching her brother play. At just six years old, she started playing tennis in her neighborhood, which soon developed into a passion for pick-up cricket. Her early fascination was fostered by her cousin, inspiring her desire to take the sport seriously.

2. Family support and early training

Nikki’s parents were quick to recognize her potential and provided unwavering support throughout her cricketing career. Her mother, in particular, is often present at her matches and training sessions and often accompanies her to various clubs and academies in Bangalore. This encouragement laid the foundation for Nikki’s commitment to the sport, allowing her to pursue her passion while pursuing an education.

3. Join Cricket Academy

In 2018/19, Niki joined the renowned Just Cricket Academy in Bangalore. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, including Vinayak Sir, she began perfecting her cricketing skills. The academy provided her with structured training, fitness programs and facilities to develop her batting and bowling skills.

4. Transition to hard ball cricket

Nikki’s transition from tennis cricket to ball cricket marked a major turning point in her career. Recognizing her dedication and talent, coaches at Just Cricket Academy emphasized skill development and match preparation to enable her to face more competitive challenges.

5. Leadership skills shine at a young age

Niki has shown strong leadership skills from an early age and often takes on the responsibility of leading the team in U16 and U19 games. Her calm demeanor, tactical awareness and ability to withstand pressure make her an excellent captain. In 2022, she led Karnataka to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Under-19 T20 Cup against Bangladesh, strategically deploying her top bowlers early in the game despite scoring just 59 runs. But still led her team to a remarkable victory.

6. Major setback – U19 Women’s T20 World Cup excluded

In 2022, Nikki faced her first major setback when she was not selected for the inaugural Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup. Being left out because of concerns about her success rate fueled her determination to improve. She recognized the need to improve her game, especially her power hitting, and underwent intensive training to perfect her hitting technique and increase her batting average.

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7. Turn frustration into motivation

Instead of getting discouraged, Nikki used this setback as a stepping stone to work even harder. She joined Just Cricket Academy in Bangalore and worked closely with the coaches to focus on power batting, developing strong batting speed, timing and technique. She also adjusted her eating habits, eliminated junk food, and improved her physical fitness.

8. Breakthrough performance in T20 Challenger Cup 2024

This dedication paid off in the 2024 T20 Challenger Cup, with Niki emerging as the top scorer. She has amassed 162 runs in four games at a strike rate of 125.58, displaying her ability to push boundaries and play offensive cricket effectively. Her performance helped Karnataka reach the final and showcased her transformation into a power batsman, a vital asset in modern T20 cricket.

9. Led India A to victory

Niki’s leadership reached new heights as she captained the India A team at the 2024 Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup in Malaysia. Her strategic brilliance was on full display as India dominated the group stage, chasing the total with ease. against in the final BangladeshHer deft use of the bowlers and tactical decisions led India to a comprehensive 41-inning victory, enhancing her skills as a captain and player.

10. Signed with Delhi Capitals for WPL 2025

Niki’s impressive performances earned her a well-deserved contract in late 2024 Delhi Capital (DC) exist Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. She looks forward to learning from cricket legend Meg Lanning, Marissan Karp and Jemima Rodriguez. This signing is a major milestone in her career, opening the door to more exposure and high-level competition.

11. Admirers and Mentors – Rahul Dravid, Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur

Niki is inspired Rahul DravidShe seeks to emulate its techniques, discipline and values. As she progressed in her cricket career, she also Mithali Rajher leadership and perseverance in women’s cricket inspired Nikki to pursue greatness. Her batting style is a blend of Dravid’s technical precision and Raj’s tactical approach to the game.

Nikki also adores Harmanpreet Kaurreflecting her calm and thoughtful captaincy. Harmanpreet’s composure under pressure and ability to lead fairly inspired Nikki deeply. She admires Kaul’s leadership philosophy of keeping the team calm even in tense situations. Nikki’s own leadership style was heavily influenced by Harmanpreet, who valued discipline, fostered unity and promoted fairness among his teammates. As a leader, Niki strives to earn respect through calm and fair decision-making, ensuring her team remains focused no matter the situation.