Niki Prasad Appointed as Captain for India's U19 Team in the First ACC Women’s U19 Asia Cup

New Delhi, Dec 12 (NationPress) All-rounder Niki Prasad has been appointed as the captain of the India U19 team for the first-ever ACC Women’s U19 Asia Cup, which is set to occur in Kuala Lumpur from December 15 to 22.

Niki, who previously earned the Player of the Series accolade in the women’s Under 19 T20 Challenger Trophy, scored an unbeaten 49 runs off 31 balls in the tri-series final, leading India B to a successful chase of 143 and securing an eight-wicket victory against South Africa at MCA Stadium in Pune.

Sanika Chalke will take on the role of vice-captain for the Asia Cup squad, which includes three past winners of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup: batter G Trisha, pacer Shabnam Shakil, and left-arm spinner Sonam Yadav.

Highly regarded wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini joins the squad alongside fellow keeper Bhavika Ahire. Kamalini scored an impressive 79 not out off 62 balls in the final against South Africa, forming an unbroken partnership of 102 runs with Niki.

Her outstanding performance earned Kamalini the Player of the Final award, in addition to the Player of the Series title. Other squad members include Ishawari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Parunika Sisodiya, Kajari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, and Nandhana Sridharan.

India is grouped in Group A with Pakistan and Nepal, while Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and hosts Malaysia. India will kick off their group stage with a match against Pakistan on December 15 and will then face Nepal on December 17.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage, with matches scheduled for December 19 and 20. The leading two teams from the Super Four will compete in the final on December 22 to crown the inaugural champions of the Women’s U19 Asia Cup.

This tournament is a crucial stepping stone for India, serving as preparation for the upcoming 2025 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, which will also be hosted by Malaysia. India holds the title of the current champions of the Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup, having won the inaugural tournament in 2023 in South Africa under the captaincy of Shafali Verma.

India U19 squad: Niki Prasad (Captain), Sanika Chalke (Vice-captain), G Trisha, Kamalini G (WK), Bhavika Ahire (WK), Ishawari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodiya, Kajari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, MD Shabnam, Nandhana Sridharan.

Standbys: Hurley Gala, Happy Kumari, G Kavya Sree, Gayatri Survase.

Non-travelling Reserve: Prapti Raval.