Niki Prasad's Inspiring Path: From Challenges to Leading India in the U19 Women’s Asia Cup

New Delhi, Dec 14 (NationPress) Niki Prasad’s voice, filled with joy and enthusiasm, confidently expressed the excitement of her role as captain of India in the inaugural U19 Women’s Asia Cup, as their journey kicks off against Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

“To be honest, I’m feeling really happy. We just had a match against the South Africa team and we won the championship (by eight wickets in Pune) and that’s when the squad was announced. So, I’m like double happy right now and really excited to go out there and play the Asia Cup and win the Cup for India,” she shared in an exclusive interview with IANS.

Niki’s selection as India U19 captain for the Asia Cup, following her unbeaten 49 and her leadership of the India B team in the U19 tri-series in Pune, is a proud moment for the right-handed batter who also bowls off-spin.

In 2022, while participating in the U19 quadrangular series in Visakhapatnam, Niki was in contention for a spot in the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in January 2023. Unfortunately, she was not selected and observed as Shafali Verma led the team to victory.

“Back then, when I was playing the selection matches and quadrangulars, I did think that I have a chance, as I was playing and giving my all. But when I didn’t make the cut and returned home, I reflected on what I did right and what could be improved. That’s when I realized that to join the World Cup squad, I needed to elevate my game,” she recalled.

“I knew I possessed the requisite skill and mindset, but I understood that I needed to be better prepared for future opportunities. The inaugural World Cup was a new experience, and everyone, including me, felt the pressure. It was a different atmosphere and very competitive,” she continued.

Missing out on the 2023 U19 World Cup strengthened Niki’s determination to bounce back. While the disappointment was significant, she opted to channel her energy into self-improvement and aimed to become the best cricketer she could be.

“I can’t quite describe that feeling, but I knew I had to work even harder. I didn’t want to hear anyone say that I couldn’t achieve something, which is why I wasn’t selected. Shortly after not making the team, I played U19 matches for Karnataka,” she added.

“Of course, my mindset was slightly off because I was aware of my capabilities, yet I felt sad and disappointed. But I ensured that this phase wouldn’t linger. The primary reason I’m here today is because of the dedication I displayed during the off-season,” she reflected.

“My mom has been my rock throughout these two years. She ensured that I maintained a healthy diet, engaged in the right workouts, and honed my cricket skills. I set clear goals and created a routine to prepare myself for the next two years,” she said.

Niki’s slow batting style was initially thought to have cost her a spot in the U19 World Cup, but her revamped approach this year yielded positive results. From a young age, she was touted as the next rising star, especially when she hit sixes against Deepti Sharma and others during the Falcon Cup in Bengaluru in 2021.

Niki’s performances in the previous season of U19 and U23 tournaments for Karnataka kept her in contention for the next World Cup selection. After completing a month-long U19 Women’s High-Performance Camp in Dharamshala, she captained India A to victory in the 2024/25 Women’s U19 T20 Challenger Trophy in Raipur.

In that tournament, she scored 162 runs in four matches and earned the Player of the Series award. Niki’s contributions as a top-order batter in the recent tri-series, where she accumulated 149 runs, were crucial in India B’s unbeaten run to the trophy.

“I began training intensely after that, and there was no turning back. I committed to working twice as hard and becoming an even better player because I recognized my potential. Following that period, I focused on being the best at everything,” she stated.

“Over the past two years, I have dedicated myself to training. Now, I’m genuinely happy with my current achievements. Moving forward, I just want to demonstrate my abilities and continue to grow and work harder - that’s my primary focus,” she added.

Growing up in Bengaluru, Niki developed an interest in cricket at the age of six when she accompanied her brother to the playground where he played cricket with friends. After expressing her desire to play, Niki joined a Youth Cricket Academy at the age of eight in 2015/16.

“The coaches and players there already recognized me because they would see me at the ground every morning practicing with leather balls. So, when I joined, they were thrilled. They didn’t have to teach me much since I already had a solid foundation. I would practice in nets and field with the under-10 and under-12 boys,” she explained.

Niki soon participated in U16 trials at just nine years old and was selected for the probables after competing in zonal selection matches. Although she didn’t make the Karnataka team initially, she was selected for a month-long KSCA off-season camp the following year.

She attended U16 trials again and secured a spot on the team for the tournament in Vizianagaram in 2017. After two years of U16 cricket and hard work, Niki finally made it to the Karnataka U19 team.

“My parents have been my greatest supporters. They’ve always been there for me since I started and have played a crucial role in shaping who I am today. I know women who lack such support from their families. However, my dad and especially my mom have been incredibly supportive of my cricket journey and every decision I’ve made in my life,” she said.

Since the 2018/19 season, Niki has trained at the Just Cricket Academy under Nasiruddin and several other coaches. She has also been training with a coach named Vinayak for over two years and credits him for elevating her game.

Niki’s training routine typically involves three days dedicated to batting, including power training. She practices batting and bowling on turf pitches for two days, while one day is reserved solely for fielding. To keep her skills sharp, she competes in matches throughout the off-season.

Her training incorporates power-hitting, influenced by observing this trend in the two WPL seasons. “I’ve witnessed significant growth in women’s cricket. Players have become stronger, and everyone aspires to be impactful hitters and high run scorers. Power hitting is now critical; with good bat speed and timing, runs can be scored efficiently,” she explained.

“Certainly, a strong mindset is essential. However, physical power has become paramount. Just three years ago, when I played at the state level in U16, U19, and U23, I didn’t witness many female players hitting sixes. Now, in every game, players are hitting six or seven sixes,” she noted.

Niki drew immense inspiration from fellow Bangalorean Rahul Dravid’s playing style throughout her childhood. Not surprisingly, she incorporated Dravid’s jersey number, 19, into her Instagram handle. However, after discovering women’s cricket, she found a new idol in the remarkable Mithali Raj.

“She’s one of the finest players I’ve ever seen. I watched many of her matches and game videos. I’ve had the opportunity to compete against her two or three times, and I always observed her techniques closely,” she remarked.

Niki, who is an off-spinner, curiously preferred watching leg-spinners like Shane Warne and Anil Kumble, a mystery she has yet to unravel. She enjoys playing pull and lofted shots, while her favorite way to dismiss a batter is by getting the ball to sneak through the gate and hitting the stumps.

A memorable experience as captain occurred in 2022 when Karnataka batted first against a formidable Bengal side but was bowled out for just 58 runs. Doubts crept into the minds of her teammates about winning the match until Niki reassured them moments before stepping onto the field that “we need to win from here and approach the game with a dominating mindset.”

“That’s precisely what happened - we defended the total, and Bengal was bowled out for 52, leading us to a seven-run victory. That remains one of my best memories as captain leading the Karnataka team, as we triumphed against all odds,” she reflected.

While cricket has been Niki’s primary focus for the past two years, she makes time for badminton with friends, relaxing with family, watching shows, and studying for her BBA in Sports Management at PES University.

Niki also acknowledges the assistance of women’s cricket talent scout Nisarg Naik, whom she met during the last U19 World Cup, for his guidance and support. “He has tracked my scores for the past two years and advised me on areas for improvement to score more runs. He’s a genuinely nice person who is now helping me secure contracts and supporting me throughout my journey,” she said.

This Sunday marks the WPL 2025 auction, where Niki is among 120 players, alongside the senior team’s T20I series debut against the West Indies in Navi Mumbai. In between, Niki will take the field in Kuala Lumpur as the captain of the India U19 team, demonstrating her ability to overcome obstacles and achieve success. Indian cricket eagerly anticipates Niki’s significant contributions towards India’s quest to win the Asia Cup and successfully defend their World Cup title in Malaysia in January 2025.