Niki Prasad impresses Deepti Sharma after Zimbabwe heroics: It didn’t look like her debut

Deepti Sharma said Niki Prasad showed remarkable composure on her India debut against Zimbabwe and admitted the youngster did not look like someone playing her first international match. Niki impressed with an unbeatable 39 in the first T20I in Raipur on Friday, he helped India recover from 19 for four to secure a four-wicket victory.

The 20-year-old put on an 82-run fifth-wicket partnership with Deepti, who scored 49, to rescue India from a difficult position. Niki fittingly hit the winning boundary, driving Tendai Makusha through the offside to seal the win and give India a 1-0 series lead.

“Niki played really well. Honestly, it didn’t look like she was going to make her debut at all. I felt like she had played quite a few matches for the country in the past,” Deepti said at the post-match press conference.

“This confidence from the youngster is remarkable, you build a partnership when the team needs it, you win the match from a difficult situation. I am sure he will take a lot of confidence from this match,” Deepti added.

Niki Prasad with match winning runs on #TeamIndia debut wins by 4 wickets to take 1-0 lead in #INDvZIM T20I series Scorecard @mflone_ BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 16, 2026

HOW NIKI HOLDS NERVES IN RAIPUR

Niki’s innings was built on patience, smart shot selection and timely aggression. Instead of panicking after an early collapse, India turned the batting around, found loopholes and punished loose deliveries. Her well-timed drives and cuts kept the scoreboard moving, while her ability to find boundaries under pressure showed her confidence at the crease.

Her 39 not out was the third-highest individual score by an Indian woman on T20I debut, behind Rumeli Dhar’s unbeaten 66 against England in 2006 and Amanjot Kaur’s unbeaten 41 against South Africa in 2023.

As wickets fell around her, Niki remained composed and ensured that India did not lose their way in the chase. With the finish line in sight, she backed off to finish the job and create the decisive boundary in style.

The performance offered a glimpse of what he can bring to the Indian middle order: composure in difficult situations, ability to build partnerships and temperament to finish games. For Niki, the trip to Raipur was an encouraging start to her senior international career.

Niki will continue his form when the second T20I takes place on Sunday, October 18.

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