Niki Prasad took another major step in her cricketing career on Friday, making her senior international debut for India in the women’s T20I series against Zimbabwe. The 20-year-old batter has risen through the ranks of Indian cricket after leading the country to the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup title in 2025. Her debut marks an important milestone for a player who has already tasted success at the international and franchise levels.
Who Is Niki Prasad?
Born on October 25, 2005, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Prasad began playing cricket at a young age and progressed through the state’s age-group system. She made her Under-16 debut when she was just nine years old before joining Karnataka’s Under-19 team two years later. Her early progress laid the foundation for a career that would eventually see her captain India at the global level.
Prasad first made headlines in December 2024 when she led India to victory in the inaugural Women’s Under-19 Asia Cup in Malaysia. She was subsequently appointed captain for the 2025 ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia. India successfully defended their title, defeating South Africa by nine wickets in the final after bowling them out for 82.
A right-handed batter who also bowls right-arm off-spin, Prasad offers versatility to the Indian team. Her performances for India A against Australia A further strengthened her credentials, including an unbeaten 54 in a T20 match and a 76-run knock in a one-day fixture.
