Niki Prasad is the latest young talent to break into the Indian women’s cricket setup after receiving her maiden senior T20I call-up on October 6, 2026. The 20-year-old batting all-rounder has been rewarded for her impressive performances across domestic, youth and India A cricket and is now set to be part of the squad for the home series against Zimbabwe under captain Smriti Mandhana.

Prasad’s rise has been built on a combination of leadership, composure and consistent performances at every level. She captained India to titles at the 2024 U-19 Asia Cup and 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, establishing herself as one of the most promising players in the country’s next generation.

Who is Niki Prasad?

Born on October 25, 2005, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Prasad is a right-handed batting all-rounder who also bowls right-arm off-break. She first picked up a bat at the age of six and initially played tennis-ball cricket with her male cousin before progressing to organised cricket. With women’s cricket infrastructure still limited during her early years, Prasad trained alongside boys at local academies and competed in Under-10, Under-12 and Under-14 age groups.

Those experiences helped her develop both technically and mentally before she eventually attended state-level trials. Her talent quickly became evident. Prasad made her Karnataka Under-16 debut at the age of nine, moved into the Under-19 team by 11 and made her senior Karnataka debut at just 13.

From a setback to leading India at the U-19 level

Prasad’s progress was not completely straightforward. She was overlooked for India’s squad for the inaugural 2023 U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, a setback that could have slowed her development. Instead, she used the disappointment as motivation to improve her game, particularly her power-hitting.

Her performances earned her the opportunity to captain India at the 2024 U-19 Asia Cup. She went on to lead the team to the title before being handed the captaincy again at the 2025 U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia. Prasad once again delivered on the biggest stage as India lifted the trophy, further establishing her reputation as a calm and dependable leader despite her young age.

The family support behind Niki Prasad’s rise

Prasad’s journey has also been shaped by the commitment of her family, particularly her mother. After recognising how seriously Niki wanted to pursue cricket, her mother became heavily involved in managing her early career and daily training routine. When Prasad joined the Just Cricket Academy, the facility was around 24 kilometres from her home.

For three years, her mother would wake up early, prepare breakfast, travel with her to training, remain there throughout the sessions and then take her directly to school. The family eventually moved closer to the academy to make the demanding routine more manageable. That support allowed Prasad to dedicate herself fully to her development as a cricketer.

WPL experience added another layer to her game

Prasad’s performances in youth and domestic cricket eventually earned her a place with Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2025. She made an immediate impression on debut against Mumbai Indians, scoring a crucial 35 during a high-pressure chase.

Her composure in that situation earned praise from former India captain Mithali Raj and current India star Harmanpreet Kaur, further highlighting the temperament that had already become a defining part of her game. The WPL experience also allowed Prasad to play alongside established international cricketers and gain exposure to the demands of elite franchise cricket.

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Strong India A performances lead to senior call-up

Prasad’s latest breakthrough came during India’s September 2026 series against Australia A. She produced several important contributions with the bat, including unbeaten scores of 54 and 76, while also making an impact with her right-arm off-spin. Those performances helped push her firmly into contention for the senior team.

The selectors subsequently handed her a maiden T20I call-up for the Zimbabwe series, giving her the opportunity to take the next step in her international career. Although Prasad grew up idolising Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj, she has maintained a strong sense of individuality throughout her journey. Her philosophy is reflected in her own words: “I want to play like Niki Prasad.” Her first senior India call-up now gives her the chance to begin writing the next chapter of that story.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.