New Delhi, Jan 5 (NationPress) When young Niki Prasad speaks, there’s an air of quiet confidence about her. This confidence is not born from boastful declarations but stems from the acknowledgment of her potential.

For Niki, who led India to claim the 2025 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup title, the choice of Delhi Capitals (DC) to keep her for the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) season signifies much more than just a show of faith – it’s a recognition of the promise she has demonstrated over the past year.

"I feel incredibly thankful that DC has chosen to retain me, showing their belief in my ability to contribute effectively to the team. I’m genuinely appreciative and excited about being retained," Niki shared in an exclusive interview with IANS from DC’s pre-season camp in Goa.

This retention has also provided a psychological lift for Niki as she heads into the new season. "Certainly, being retained and having DC’s trust in me makes me feel more at ease, enabling me to just focus on giving my best on the field. I feel more confident and excited as I look ahead to the season," she expressed.

When asked if she plans to present something new this season, her answer was a resounding yes. "Absolutely, that’s my aim for this WPL. I intend to perform even better and perhaps reveal a different dimension of my game," Niki affirmed.

Niki's experiences from the previous WPL season, including a memorable 35 on her debut that secured a nail-biting victory over Mumbai Indians, have significantly influenced her strategy for the upcoming season.

"I’ve gained numerous insights from my last WPL season. The game is evolving rapidly, requiring players to consistently step up, whether by scoring runs or executing remarkable catches. Thus, my focus for this WPL season is to keep accumulating runs and excel in fielding, especially in terms of making solid catches and affecting runouts," she stated. Just a week before DC’s first WPL 2026 match on January 10 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Niki has been diligently honing her skills.

"I’ve been focusing on my batting technique, aiming to hit the ball harder and find gaps while batting. In fielding practice, I’m concentrating on precision in my throws and ensuring I make good catches. This has been my preparation in Goa so far." From the franchise's standpoint, the choice to retain Niki was clear-cut.

"Niki had an impressive season last year, playing a pivotal role in one of our significant victories and coming very close to leading us in the final. In terms of fielding, she stands out as one of the finest in Indian domestic cricket. You seldom find a player with such exceptional ground fielding, reliable hands, and athletic diving skills. Whether in the infield or outfield, she provides us with total confidence. Although she may not be a big hitter, she adapts her play to suit the game situation, which is crucial in scenarios where stability is key, such as facing 10 for 2 or 3," CricViz analysts from the DC scouting team told IANS.

This concluding statement speaks volumes; it’s not just about Niki’s current capabilities but also what the franchise envisions for her future. In the 2025/26 season, Niki had a rough start, accumulating 177 runs with an average of 29.50 and a strike rate of 83.09 while captaining Karnataka in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy.

However, she overcame this setback, scoring 128 runs in five matches with an average of 32 and a strike rate of 110.34 while leading the South Zone in the 2025/26 Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy. In the U23 Women’s T20 Trophy, Niki made 246 runs in eight matches, achieving an impressive average of 61.5 and a strike rate of 94.61. As WPL 2026 approaches, DC will be led by a new captain, Jemimah Rodrigues, a prospect Niki finds thrilling.

"She’s a vibrant player who makes her teammates feel at ease. I believe playing under her leadership will be exciting, and I’m sure I will learn a lot this time," she remarked.

The learning atmosphere at DC will be further enriched by renowned international players like Marizanne Kapp, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, and Lizelle Lee. Niki understands the importance of this opportunity and is determined to make the most of it.

"I can learn so much from them, as they are all exceptional cricketers. I’ve been interacting with each one of them, and this is just the beginning. As the tournament progresses, I’m sure I’ll gain even more insights," she added.

Niki also enjoys a good rapport with some teammates, including Mamatha Madiwala and Nandini Sharma. "Throughout the year, we’ve had numerous camps at the Centre of Excellence and a lot of matches, which has fostered a strong connection and bond among us," she stated.

Life after winning the U19 World Cup and being runners-up in WPL 2025 has transformed significantly for Niki. "There has been a considerable change, particularly regarding recognition. Many people are now aware of my achievements. However, this has also brought heightened expectations from my teams and coaches. Life has been quite eventful after both tournaments," she explained.

Her strategy for managing these expectations when batting is straightforward. "I strive to remain calm and stick to my fundamentals, adhering to the goals I’ve set while assessing the situation and batting accordingly. That’s my approach," she said.

DC has consistently been a contender for the trophy but has yet to clinch the title. Niki notes that three seasons of near-misses have only intensified the team’s determination. "Everyone is eager to cross that finish line and secure a victory in this fourth season," she asserted.

The preparation has been robust, especially with the Indian players from the recent ODI World Cup win being highly motivated to give their all this time.

For Niki, WPL 2026 serves as a platform for her to aim for greater honors. "As I mentioned before, DC’s trust in me and my retention is incredibly meaningful because I am aware of the hard work I’ve put in and the performances I’ve delivered over the past few years. I’m more excited and focused than ever to contribute my best for DC," she concluded.