Niki Prasad is set to captain the Indian team in the highly anticipated opening ceremony U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025started with a collision West India Sunday in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia will host the Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in 2024
Malaysia’s hosting of the Under-19 Girls T20WC will mark the first major cricket competition since the tournament. ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup In 2008. 16 teams will compete in the tournament for 16 days and the matches will be held in different places of the country. The competition is divided into four groups at the initial stage, each team plays a series of interesting games. A total of 41 matches will be played, making it a packed and highly competitive schedule. This is an important milestone for Malaysia as they welcome cricketing nations from across Asia and provide a platform for young talents to shine on the international stage.
Niki Prasad will lead India in the second edition of the U19 World Cup
His appointment comes after a string of impressive performances, including India B’s U19 tri-series win in Pune. Prasad has established himself as a versatile cricketer, excelling as both a top-order batsman and an effective spinner. As the defending champions, India will look to build on their success from the first edition in South Africa in 2023 when Shafali Verma led the team to victory. Now the onus is on Prasad, who led India to victory in the Under-19 Girls’ Asia Cup held in Kuala Lumpur earlier, to lead the team forward.
1. Early beginnings and inspiration
Niki Prasad was born on 25 October 2005 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. From a young age, he was inspired by the sport while watching his 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 early fascination was nurtured by his cousin, which fueled his desire to take the sport seriously.
2. A supportive family and early learning
Nicky’s parents quickly recognized his potential and provided 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 Nicky’s commitment to the sport and allowed him to pursue his passion alongside his education.
3. Just joining a cricket academy
In 2018/19, Niki joined the renowned Just Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Under the tutelage of experienced coaches, including Vinayak Sir, he began to improve his cricketing techniques. The academy provided him access to structured training, fitness programs and facilities to develop his skills in both batting and bowling.
4. Transition to hard ball cricket
Nicky’s transition from tennis ball cricket to leather ball cricket was 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, allowing him to face more competitive challenges.
5. Leadership qualities shine at a young age
From a young age, Niki demonstrated strong leadership qualities, often taking responsibility for leading his team during U16 and U19 matches. His calm demeanor, tactical awareness and ability to withstand pressure made him stand out as a captain. In 2022, she led Karnataka in the Under-19 Women’s T20 Trophy quarter-final against Bengal, where she strategically deployed the opening bowlers early and led her team to a remarkable victory despite conceding only 59 runs.
6. Big failure – Exclusion from U19 Women’s T20 World Cup
In 2022, Niki faced her first major setback when she was not selected for the Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup. That exception, based on concerns about the strike rate, fueled his determination to improve. He realized the need to improve his game, especially his power stroke, and trained intensively to improve his batting technique and increase his strike rate.
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7. Turn failures into motivation
Instead of getting discouraged, Niki used this setback to work harder. He joined the Bengaluru Just Cricket Academy and worked closely with his coach to develop powerful batting, strong bat speed, timing and technique. He also adjusted his diet and gave up junk food to improve his fitness.
8. A breakthrough performance in the 2024 T20 Challenger Trophy
This dedication paid off during the 2024 T20 Challenger Trophy where Nicky was the top scorer. He scored 162 runs at a strike rate of 125.58 in four matches, showing his ability to clear boundaries and play aggressive cricket effectively. His performance helped Karnataka reach the final and showcased his transition to a power-hitter, an important asset in modern T20 cricket.
9. India A captaincy to victory
Niki’s leadership reached new heights during the 2024 Asia Cup for Girls U-19 and U-20 in Malaysia where she captained India A. His strategic brilliance was on full display as India dominated the group stages and comfortably swept the finals. In the opposite final Bangladeshhis clever use of bowlers and tactical decisions led India to a comprehensive victory by 41 runs, reinforcing his skills as both captain and player.
10. Signing with Delhi Capitals in WPL 2025
In late 2024, Nicky’s impressive performances earned him a decent contract. Delhi Capitals (DC) in the year Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. looks forward to learning from cricket legends like Meg Lanning, Marizanne Kapp and Jemima Rodrigues. This signing is a significant milestone in his career, opening the door to more exposure and high-level competition.
11. Fans and mentors – Rahul Dravid, Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur
Niki is deeply inspired Rahul Dravidwhose technique, discipline and values he tries to emulate. As he progressed in his cricketing journey, he also developed his fascination Mithali RajHer leadership and determination in women’s cricket inspired Nicki to strive for greatness. His batting style reflects a blend of Dravid’s technical precision and Raj’s tactical approach to the game.
He also idolizes Nick Harmanpreet Kaurreflecting his calm and calculated captaincy. Niki was deeply inspired by Harmanpreet’s composure under pressure and ability to lead with justice. He admires Kaur’s leadership philosophy, which focuses on keeping the team together even in tense situations. Niki’s own leadership style is greatly influenced by Harmanpreet’s approach-evaluating discipline, fostering unity and promoting fairness among teammates. As a leader, Niki strives to earn respect for her composure and fair decision-making, keeping her team focused regardless of the circumstances.
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This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
