Niki Prasad Earns Maiden India T20I Name-Up After Spectacular India A Performances

Niki Prasad’s maiden India T20I call-up, announced on 6 October 2026, puts the spotlight on one of many nation’s most promising younger all-rounders. The 20-year-old is ready to affix new captain Smriti Mandhana’s squad for India’s historic first white-ball series in opposition to Zimbabwe: three T20Is followed by three ODIs from 16 to twenty-eight October. Prasad’s progress, from main India to an Below-19 world title to creating an impression throughout formats for India A, has made her choice a compelling subsequent step in her profession.

Niki Prasad first made her mark as captain of India’s Below-19 group, guiding the facet to the title on the inaugural ICC Ladies’s Below-19 T20 World Cup in 2025. India beat <a href="https://cricket.international/josh-inglis-set-to-rejoin-australia-squad-ahead-of-second-test-against-south-africa/” title=”Josh Inglis set to rejoin Australia squad ahead of second Take a look at in opposition to South Africa”>South Africa by 9 wickets within the ultimate in Kuala Lumpur on 2 February, efficiently defending the trophy gained by Shafali Verma’s group in 2023, when India defeated England by seven wickets in South Africa. Prasad scored 16 runs at a strike charge of 100 throughout two innings and 7 matches within the 2025 tournament, however her management stood out and helped earn her a Delhi Capitals contract for the third edition of the Tata WPL.

Since then, she has scored 153 runs in 18 WPL matches, throughout seven innings, at an average of 30.60 and a strike charge of 119.53. Her India A performances have additional strengthened her case. In opposition to England A in England, she made 63 runs at an average of 31.50 and a strike charge of 91.30 in three One-Day innings, then added 23 runs in her sole T20 look. India A gained each series 2-1.

Prasad’s all-round credentials have been particularly evident within the home series in opposition to Australia A. She was India A’s third-highest run-scorer within the T20 series, making 56 runs at an average of 28 and a strike charge of 140, including an unbeaten half-century. With her off-spin, she additionally took two wickets at an economy charge of 9.42. Australia A gained the series 3-0.

Within the One-Day series, Prasad scored 108 runs at an average of 54 and a strike charge of 109.09, including a half-century. She additionally finished because the main wicket-taker, claiming 9 wickets at an average of 17.22 and an economy charge of 6.20, with a four-wicket haul. Australia A gained the series 2-1. Within the one-off Unofficial Take a look at, Prasad’s gritty 91 helped her attain 95 runs throughout two innings at an average of 47.50 and a strike charge of 80.50. She took seven wickets at an average of 11 and an economy charge of 1.67, including a five-wicket haul, guiding India A to a complete win.

Smriti Mandhana’s appointment as India captain throughout all three formats gives the Zimbabwe tour added significance: it is going to be her first project within the function. She has previously led India as stand-in captain in 18 T20Is, profitable 11, and in 4 ODIs, profitable all 4. Shafali Verma is the T20I vice-captain, while Deepti Sharma holds the ODI function.

After Zimbabwe, India are scheduled to tour South Africa from 9 to 30 December for a Take a look at, three ODIs and three T20Is. India will then host the inaugural six-team Ladies’s T20 Champions Trophy from 14 to twenty-eight February 2027. For Prasad, the Zimbabwe series presents a first likelihood to translate her India A type and all-round promise onto the international stage.

I’m Yash Tailor, and I imagine work must be driven by ardour. Subsequently, after finishing my Engineering, I selected to work within the Cricket industry, my ardour. My purpose is to succeed in a stage the place I truly take pleasure in what I do and give my best to every process with energy and goal.

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