Niki Prasad Aims to Build on Impressive T20I Debut Performance

Niki Prasad, the emerging female cricketer from India, has expressed her aspirations following a commendable debut performance against Zimbabwe in the first T20 International, held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. Having scored an unbeaten 39 runs from 35 balls, Prasad stated that representing India at the senior level had long been a dream of hers.

The 19-year-old cricketer, who previously captained the Indian Under-19 team to victory in the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2025, spoke with broadcasters ahead of the second T20I match scheduled for Sunday in Raipur. She acknowledged the challenges posed by the competition and remarked on how matches in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and India A had prepared her for high-pressure environments.

In her recent statement, Prasad reflected on her debut, stating, “Definitely, that innings has given me a lot of confidence, and going forward, whatever opportunity I am put under, I think I’m just going to stick to my basics and play to the merit of the ball.” She reiterated her commitment to honing her skills as she progresses in her career.

Regarding her preparation for the future, she shared, “You know, I was just dreaming of this day, and the preparation for this journey was quite hard. I think that hard work has paid off, and I just want to grow from here.”

As a member of the Delhi Capitals for two seasons, Prasad has showcased her potential in domestic cricket. Her experiences in franchise matches and India A games have contributed to her confidence, particularly in navigating tense match scenarios. “I think these franchise games and also the India A games, whatever the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organised for us, have given me more confidence because I was already put under pressure in those games,” she explained.

Following a robust performance in the opening match, the Indian team leads the series 1-0 against Zimbabwe, having faced challenges after losing their top four batters early in the innings. Prasad emphasised the need for her team to stick to their strengths and execute their strategies with precision. “I think it’s pretty simple to just stick to our strengths and execute our plans even better when we are batting,” she noted.

In the upcoming match, India will aim to secure the series victory over Zimbabwe, who won the toss and chose to bowl first. Both teams are set to field unchanged sides as they prepare for the anticipated encounter on Tuesday, which will be the third T20I of the series.