Niki Prasad, the 2025 U19 Women's T20 World Cup-winning skipper and JSW Sports-supported athlete, has returned from her maiden tour with India A women's team in England with a sharper game and a clear list of technical improvements to pursue. The tour, which concluded with India A winning the 50-over series 2-1 — after losing the T20 leg by the same margin — gave Prasad her first extended exposure to English conditions and professional standards at the senior level.

Scores and Contributions on Tour

In the 50-over matches, Prasad posted scores of 28 not out, 1, and 34, having earlier made 23 in the T20 leg. She also contributed with her off-spin, picking up a wicket in the second 50-over game in Taunton. While the numbers were modest, her focus was firmly on absorbing the unfamiliar environment rather than accumulating runs alone.

Prasad was called into the squad early, replacing Prema Rawat after Rawat was drafted into the T20 World Cup squad. The sudden call-up, she said, did not unsettle her — she was already training across both formats simultaneously and was simply eager for the additional exposure the T20 leg would offer.

The Biggest Technical Takeaway: Backfoot Play

The standout challenge in England, according to Prasad, was dealing with the steep bounce generated by tall English pace bowlers. 'In England, all the players were quite tall, especially pacers, when they were bowling those really good bouncers, almost coming above waist level,' she noted. This forced her to sharpen her backfoot game — specifically the pull and cut shots — which she considers essential for any Indian batter venturing abroad.

'As Indian players, we need to learn a lot about how to play pull and cut because once we go to other countries, the bounce is much higher and better than what we get in India,' she said. Back home, she has since incorporated this into her training routine.

Coaching staff, many of whom had prior experience of English conditions, reinforced this approach. The key instruction from the batting coach was to avoid overhitting and instead judge the height of the delivery before committing to a shot — staying ready for the pull or cut at all times, given England's preference for bowling a hard length.

Adapting to Bowling and Boundary Dimensions

Prasad also picked up tactical insights as a bowler. She observed that English batters tend to play squarer of the wicket, which required her to pitch the ball up and invite drives rather than bowl short — a deliberate effort to prevent sweeps and reverse sweeps.

The expansive outfield and large boundary dimensions at English grounds were another adjustment. 'You need to be really fit enough to chase the ball or quickly run a three,' she said, noting that fitness and ground awareness become far more critical in those conditions than in typical Indian venues.

Taunton, Rahul Dravid, and a Personal Moment

Playing at the Taunton International Ground carried added significance for Prasad. Rahul Dravid, her self-described idol, scored a celebrated century at the same venue during the 1999 ODI World Cup against Sri Lanka. 'At that point in time, it just hit me that my idol had already been here and played one of his best knocks,' she said. India A's 50-over series win at that ground added a personal layer to the memory.

Off the field, Prasad unwound with long walks through the English countryside — appreciating the quiet, nature, and the absence of urban traffic — a deliberate mental reset between matches.

WPL Knock and the Chase Mindset

Prasad also reflected on her high-pressure knock for Delhi Capitals (DC) against Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League (WPL), where she nearly steered DC to victory. She described her approach as instinct-led and target-blind — blocking out the scoreboard and focusing only on available scoring areas, particularly over mid-off. The game ultimately went against DC, but Prasad said the experience fundamentally reshaped how she thinks under pressure and how she is now preparing for similar situations.

With the India A tour complete and key technical gaps identified, Prasad appears to be building methodically toward a senior India call-up.