Niki Prasad made her debut for the Indian women’s cricket team during the first T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur on Friday, celebrating an important milestone in her career. The young all-rounder was presented with her India cap by Smriti Mandhana just before the match, marking a special moment for her.
As the team gathered, Mandhana shared some encouraging words with Prasad before handing over the cap. This heartfelt exchange was celebrated with warm hugs from teammates like Deepti Sharma and Anushka Sharma, making it a memorable occasion for the Karnataka cricketer. Prasad is likely to bat at the crucial No. 3 position, providing her a chance to showcase her skills.
This debut is a significant achievement for Prasad, who led India to victory in the Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in 2025 and also coached the team to win the inaugural Women’s Under-19 Asia Cup in 2024. Her leadership and impressive performances in age-group cricket have established her as one of the bright prospects in Indian cricket.
The right-handed batter has also gained essential experience from her two seasons with the Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where she trained alongside seasoned international players, helping her grow as a cricketer.
Recently, Prasad’s performances for India A against Australia A have further justified her selection for the senior team. In a T20 match in New Chandigarh, she scored 54 runs off just 31 balls during a challenging match, demonstrating her ability to turn the game around. She continued her strong form in the first one-day match by contributing an unbeaten 32, helping India A clinch a four-wicket victory.
Her all-around skills have impressed as well, as she took five wickets in the unofficial Test match against Australia A and led the wicket-takers in the one-day series with nine wickets at an economy rate of 6.20.
Through her experiences in the WPL, she has also made her mark at the domestic level. In her 18 matches with the Delhi Capitals, she has scored 153 runs with an average of 30.60 and a strike rate of 119.53, boasting a top score of 47.
Currently, Jemimah Rodrigues, who usually bats at No. 3, is unavailable due to a hamstring injury. This opens the door for Niki Prasad to make an impact. If she performs well, she could create competition for Rodrigues, especially with the selectors preparing for the upcoming series in South Africa later this year.
Playing XI for India vs. Zimbabwe 1st Women’s T20I:
India Women: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana (c), Anushka Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Niki Prasad, Richa Ghosh (w), Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani, Arundhati Reddy, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud
Zimbabwe Women: Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Sharne Mayers, Michelle Mavunga, Nyasha Gwanzura, Francisca Chipare, Modester Mupachikwa (w), Josephine Nkomo (c), Olinder Chare, Tendai Makusha
