For Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur has always been a hero. And why not? For a young captain in India, there is perhaps no greater inspiration in women’s cricket than Harmanpreet. Last year, she made history by becoming the first Indian to win a senior ICC title, a moment that inspired an entire generation.
Niki already has silver cutlery too led India to the U19 Women’s World Cup title last year. Just last month, she shared the stage with her idol at the BCCI Naman Awards where they were both felicitated. But Niki is far from satisfied. With U19 glory behind her, her ambitions have only grown and she now has her eyes firmly set on winning the senior title for India.
“I think her World Cup win for India made us all extremely proud. It also inspired many youngsters like me. One day I would like to do the same for India to lift the trophy myself,” Niki told India Today in an interaction mediated by JSW Sports.
KNOCK ON THE DOOR
Niki Prasad was recently honored at the BCCI Naman Awards. Courtesy: Getty Images
With the triumph in the Under-19 World Cup, Niki has already come a long way in a short period of time. Having spent two seasons with Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League, she gained valuable experience sharing the dressing room with some of the biggest names in the game.
Niki’s growth was also evident in the recent Women’s U23 One-Day Trophy. She scored 328 runs in eight matches at an average of 46.86 and a strike rate of 112.71. Her standout performance came against Chhattisgarh when she made a brilliant 123 off just 91 balls.
However, for Niki, the ultimate dream remains unchanged, to don the India jersey at the senior level. He hopes to knock hard on the door of the national selection by the end of this year if he doesn’t break into the Indian team.
“Definitely. Going forward I want to continue in domestic cricket, perform consistently, score as many runs as possible and try to be among the top scorers.”
“The biggest goal is to eventually push for a spot in the Indian team. That’s been my goal for a very long time and I think I’ll be knocking on the door really hard this year,” said Niki.
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
Niki Prasad missed out on T20 World Cup 2023. Courtesy: Getty Images
In 2023, India celebrated their first Under-19 Women’s World Cup triumph under Shafali Verma. But in one corner sat a disappointed but determined Niki, unable to break into the team. This rejection became the turning point that made her realize that she needed to up her game if she wanted to make it big.
And in 2025, after two years of hard work and perseverance, it all paid off. The Niki of 2026 is no longer the same player who remained on the sidelines in 2023.
“Yes, I think there have been quite a lot of changes and improvements not only in cricket but also in how I conduct myself on the field and how I present myself in front of others. So I would say there have been significant changes overall,” said Niki.
“I also think not being part of the first U19 World Cup was actually a blessing in disguise. That experience really helped shape me into the person I am today.”
The changes I’ve had to make over the past few years have really helped me take my game to the next level and perform at that level as well,” added Niki.
EVOLVE AND EVOLVE
While Niki’s rise through the U19 ranks has been relatively smooth, her transition to senior cricket has not been without heartbreak. The the biggest of which came against the Gujarat Giants in January. Batting on 47, she not only had the chance to register her first fifty, but also lead the Capitals home.
Instead, she chose Ash Gardner over Sophie Devine, throwing away both a personal milestone and a golden opportunity for her team. But if setbacks shape cricketers, this innings certainly does. The disappointment left its mark, but it also hardened Niki and forced her to grow and evolve through hard-earned lessons.
“I think that match really changed my game. Being able to go up against world-class all-rounders and hit their limits gave me a lot of confidence and motivation. I really feel that the game changed my batting and that particular innings changed the way I approach batting now,” Niki said.
“Even though we ended up on the losing side, I personally think I improved after that innings. Of course I would have liked to change the result, but there were so many lessons learned from it. If I ever find myself in this situation again in the future, I believe I will be able to cross the line,” Niki added.
FOCUS AND DISCIPLINE
Niki Prasad made her WPL debut under Meg Lanning. Courtesy: Niki Instagram
Niki made her WPL debut under Meg Lanning before Meg Lanning parted ways with the Capitals. Niki said Lanning’s discipline, on and off the court, stood out to her, adding that the Aussie’s strict routines and work ethic inspired her to stay focused and disciplined.
“What really impressed me was how disciplined she is not only on the court but off the court as well. She is very particular about her routine, her timing and everything she needs to get done in a day,” said Niki.
“Seeing that level of discipline is really inspiring. That’s something I’ve really learned from her and it’s something I want to continue to follow, to stay disciplined and work really hard. That’s one of the biggest things I’ve noticed and it’s one of the main reasons I really look up to her.”
‘YOU ARE THE BEST’
Niki Prasad played under Jemimah Rodrigues in WPL 2026. Courtesy: PTI
While Niki made her WPL debut under Meg Lanning, it was under Jemimah Rodrigues where she really began to flourish. Niki said Jemimah may not have Lanning’s experience, but when it comes to supporting players through tough times, she is among the first to step up and offer encouragement.
“It’s been amazing with Jemimah as well. I’ve really enjoyed the season playing under her. The kind of energy she brings to the pitch is amazing. Even when the boundary goes down, she’ll come up to you and say, ‘It’s okay, it’s okay, you’re the best, you can do it.’
“Even as a batsman, the way she approaches the game is really impressive. I think her captaincy is a great mix of calm and energy,” said Niki.
LONG ROAD AHEAD
Niki Prasad aims to play for India in the future. Courtesy: Getty Images
At just 20 years old, Niki Prasad’s journey is already littered with milestones, yet she feels like she’s only just begun. An inaugural triumph in the 2024 Asian Under-19 Cup was her springboard, followed by a taste of glory on the World Cup stage.
Her stint with Delhi Capitals in the WPL further enhanced her reputation, while winning matches for Karnataka in domestic cricket honed her temperament and prepared her for the bigger challenges ahead.
However, the leap to international cricket is never straightforward. With India cultivating a crop of young batting talent that includes Tejal Hasabnis, Gautami Naik, Pratika Rawal, Niki may have to be patient and wait for her elusive international debut.
Still, her calm and composed presence on the court suggests a player ready to seize opportunities as they come. While the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup may be just around the corner, the horizon is clear: at next year’s inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, Niki could very well look to share the dressing room with her idol Harmanpreet Kaur and write the next chapter of her promising career.
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
09 April 2026 16:00 IST
