India’s selectors have rewarded Niki Prasad with her maiden senior Women’s T20I call-up after a string of impressive performances for India A across all formats. The 20-year-old all-rounder has been included in Smriti Mandhana’s first squad as full-time captain for the upcoming white-ball series against Zimbabwe, comprising three T20Is and three ODIs from 16 to 28 October 2026.
The selection represents another major milestone for one of India’s brightest young cricketers after a remarkable rise through the domestic and India A ranks.
Under-19 World Cup-Winning Captain Continues Her Rise
Prasad first attracted national attention when she captained India to the 2025 ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup title in Malaysia. India defeated South Africa by nine wickets in the final to successfully defend the title won in 2023.
Although she contributed 16 runs during the tournament, her leadership earned widespread praise and helped secure a contract with Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League.
Across two WPL seasons, Prasad has scored 153 runs from seven innings in 18 appearances, averaging 30.60 at a strike rate of 119.53, primarily batting in the lower middle order.
India A Performances Strengthened Her Selection
Prasad’s performances for India A played a major role in earning her first senior call-up.
Against England A, she scored 63 runs in the one-day series at an average of 31.50, while India A won both the ODI and T20 series 2-1.
Her performances improved further against Australia A.
White-ball Success
In the T20 series, Prasad scored 56 runs at a strike rate of 140, including an unbeaten half-century, while also taking two wickets.
In the three-match ODI series she contributed:
- 108 runs at an average of 54
- Strike rate of 109.09
- One half-century
- Nine wickets, the most by any bowler in the series
- Average: 17.22
- Economy: 6.20
- Best figures: four wickets in an innings
Match-winning Display in the Unofficial Test
Prasad completed an outstanding all-round series by starring in the one-off Unofficial Test.
She scored 91 runs in the first innings, finishing with 95 runs across the match, before claiming seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul, as India A secured victory.
Coach Explains the Secret Behind Her Improvement
Coach Vinayak Havalappagol believes Prasad has earned her opportunity after significant technical improvements.
According to him, extensive work on advanced batting drills, strike rotation, bat speed and match simulations has helped transform her into a more complete white-ball batter.
He also praised her maturity and mentality, describing her as a player who thinks differently from many young cricketers.
Vinayak added that Prasad’s off-spin gives her another major advantage and hopes Delhi Capitals will use her more regularly as a bowling option in future WPL seasons.
Important Opportunity Under Smriti Mandhana
The Zimbabwe series also marks the beginning of a new era for India following Smriti Mandhana’s appointment as captain.
Mandhana previously led India as stand-in captain in 18 T20Is and four ODIs, winning all four 50-over internationals.
Shafali Verma has been named T20I vice-captain, while Deepti Sharma will serve as ODI vice-captain.
For Prasad, the Zimbabwe series presents her first opportunity to transfer her India A success onto the international stage and strengthen her case ahead of India’s busy international calendar, which includes the South Africa tour later this year and the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in February 2027.
Why Niki Prasad Is Viewed as a Future All-Rounder
Prasad’s value extends beyond her batting.
She has developed into a genuine lower-middle-order finisher while also providing useful off-spin, giving India an additional all-round option.
Her recent India A numbers highlight that versatility:
- Unbeaten 54 (31) in the Australia A T20 series
- 76 off 71 balls during India’s record ODI chase of 363
- 91 in the Unofficial Test
- Nine ODI wickets against Australia A
- Seven wickets in the Unofficial Test
Those performances made her one of the standout performers across the entire India A tour.
