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Tag: Mithali Raj

  • All you need to know about Niki Prasad – India captain for the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025

    All you need to know about Niki Prasad – India captain for the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025

    Niki Prasad is set to captain the Indian team in the highly anticipated inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, kicking off with a clash against West Indies in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

    Malaysia set to host the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

    Malaysia’s hosting of the Women’s U19 T20WC will mark their first major cricketing event since the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2008. The tournament will see 16 teams compete across a 16-day period, with matches taking place in various venues throughout the country. The competition is divided into four groups during the initial stage, with each team playing a series of exciting fixtures. A total of 41 matches will be played, making it a packed and highly competitive schedule. This marks a significant milestone for Malaysia as they welcome cricketing nations from across Asia, providing a platform for young talent to shine on an international stage.

    Niki Prasad to lead India in the second edition U19 World Cup

    Niki Prasad (Image Source: X)

    Her appointment comes after a series of impressive performances, including leading India B to triumph in the U19 tri-series in Pune. Prasad has established herself as a versatile cricketer, excelling as both a top-order batter and an effective off-spin bowler. As the reigning champions, India will look to build on their success from the inaugural edition held in South Africa in 2023, where Shafali Verma guided the team to victory. Now, the responsibility of steering the team forward falls on Prasad, who also captained India to victory in the Women’s U19 Asia Cup held in Kuala Lumpur earlier.

    1. Early beginnings and inspiration

    Niki Prasad was born on October 25, 2005, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. From an early age, she was drawn to cricket, inspired by the sport while watching her brother play. At just six years old, she began playing with a tennis ball in her neighborhood, which soon evolved into a passion for leather-ball cricket. Her early fascination was nurtured by her cousin, fueling her desire to take the sport seriously.

    2. Supportive family and early training

    Niki’s parents quickly recognized her potential and provided unwavering support in her cricketing journey. Her mother, in particular, was a constant presence at her matches and training sessions, often accompanying her to various clubs and academies across Bengaluru. This encouragement laid the foundation for Niki’s commitment to the sport, allowing her to pursue her passion alongside her education.

    3. Joining just cricket academy

    In 2018/19, Niki joined the renowned Just Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, including Vinayak Sir, she began refining her cricketing techniques. The academy provided her with access to structured training, fitness routines, and facilities to develop her skills in both batting and bowling.

    4. Transition to hard ball cricket

    Niki’s transition from tennis-ball cricket to leather-ball cricket marked a significant turning point in her career. Recognizing her dedication and natural talent, her coaches at Just Cricket Academy emphasized technical development and match-readiness, enabling her to face more competitive challenges.

    5. Leadership qualities shine at a young age

    From a young age, Niki showcased strong leadership qualities, often taking responsibility for leading her team during U16 and U19 matches. Her calm demeanor, tactical awareness, and ability to handle pressure made her stand out as a captain. In 2022, she led Karnataka in the Women’s Under-19 T20 Trophy pre-quarterfinal against Bengal, where she strategically deployed her premier bowlers early, leading her team to a remarkable victory despite scoring only 59 runs.

    6. A major setback – U19 Women’s T20 World Cup exclusion

    In 2022, Niki faced her first major setback when she wasn’t selected for the inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. This exclusion, based on concerns about her strike rate, fueled her determination to improve. She recognized the need to elevate her game, particularly her power-hitting, and underwent intensive training to refine her batting technique and enhance her strike rate.

    Also READ: From Smriti Mandhana to Simran Shaikh: Top 10 most expensive players in WPL History

    7. Turning setbacks into motivation

    Rather than being discouraged, Niki used this setback as a stepping stone to work harder. She joined Bengaluru’s Just Cricket Academy and worked closely with her coach to focus on power-hitting, developing strong bat speed, timing, and technique. She also adjusted her diet, eliminating junk food to improve her physical fitness.

    8. Breakthrough performance in 2024 T20 Challenger Trophy

    Niki Prasad
    Niki Prasad (Image Source: X)

    The dedication paid off during the 2024 T20 Challenger Trophy, where Niki emerged as the top scorer. She accumulated 162 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 125.58, showcasing her ability to clear the boundaries and play aggressive cricket effectively. Her performance helped Karnataka reach the finals and displayed her transition into a power-hitter, a crucial asset in modern T20 cricket.

    9. Captaining India A to victory

    Niki Prasad
    Niki Prasad (Image Source: X)

    Niki’s leadership reached new heights during the 2024 Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup in Malaysia, where she captained India A. Her strategic brilliance was on full display as India dominated the group stages, chasing down totals comfortably. In the final against Bangladesh, her smart use of bowlers and tactical decisions led India to a comprehensive 41-run victory, reinforcing her skills as both a captain and a player.

    10. Signing with Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2025

    In late 2024, Niki’s impressive performances earned her a well-deserved contract with the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. She looks forward to learning from cricketing legends like Meg Lanning, Marizanne Kapp and Jemimah Rodrigues. This signing is a significant milestone in her career, opening the door to more exposure and high-level competition.

    11. Admirers and mentors – Rahul Dravid, Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur

    Niki is deeply inspired by Rahul Dravid, whose technique, discipline, and values she seeks to emulate. As she progressed in her cricket journey, she also developed a keen admiration for Mithali Raj, whose leadership and perseverance in women’s cricket motivated Niki to strive for greatness. Her batting style reflects a blend of Dravid’s technical precision and Raj’s tactical approach to the game.

    Niki also idolizes Harmanpreet Kaur, mirroring her calm and calculated captaincy. Harmanpreet’s composure under pressure and ability to lead with fairness has deeply inspired Niki. She admires Kaur’s leadership philosophy, which focuses on keeping the team composed even in tense situations. Niki’s own leadership style is heavily influenced by Harmanpreet’s approach-valuing discipline, fostering unity, and promoting fairness among teammates. As a leader, Niki strives to earn respect through her composure and fair decision-making, ensuring her team stays focused, no matter the circumstances.

    Also READ: 5 Indian players to watch out for in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025

    This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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  • Exclusive Interview: “The player I have seen and grown is MS Dhoni” – Sneh Rana talks about her cricketing journey, comebacks, inspiration and much more

    Exclusive Interview: “The player I have seen and grown is MS Dhoni” – Sneh Rana talks about her cricketing journey, comebacks, inspiration and much more

    Sneh Rana, an illustrious all-rounder hailing from the picturesque town of Uttarakhand, has emerged as a formidable force in the realm of women’s cricket. Born on February 18, 1994, she has captivated audiences with her exceptional prowess as a right-handed batter and off-spin bowler. Rana’s cricketing odyssey is a tapestry woven with remarkable comebacks, stellar performances, and an indomitable spirit that exemplifies the essence of perseverance.

    In an exclusive and revealing conversation with Cricket Times, Rana delves into the intricacies of her journey, sharing insights that illuminate both the triumphs and tribulations she has encountered along the way. With refreshing candor, she reflects on the relentless challenges of maintaining peak fitness as a female athlete in a demanding sport. Her narrative is not just one of personal achievement; it serves as an inspiring testament to the dedication and resilience required to thrive in a competitive landscape.

    As she recounts her experiences, from pivotal matches to the daily grind of training, Rana emerges not only as a talented cricketer but also as a role model for aspiring athletes. Her story resonates deeply within the cricketing community and beyond, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their passions with unwavering determination.

    Here are some highlights from the interview:

    Q. Coming from Uttarakhand, how did your cricketing journey begin?

    Rana: Yeah, so I started very young, I loved playing cricket and used to go and play with the boys, our school used to have tennis ball cricket matches where I used to participate adamantly. Therefore, I started like every other India cricketer playing on the streets, and that’s that, a start.

    Q. How did you overcome your injury break and what helped you stage a comeback?

    Rana: See, any player with an injury always has a risk factor involved, and about the time that when will you are likely to make a comeback. But keeping all things aside, I am really grateful to my family who supported me at that time. Talking about the injury, first three months were really difficult being on a bed rest for three straight months missing out on the game and involvement with it. I was very positive with the support of my family and friends that everything will eventually fall into place.

    Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with star India player Punam Raut: Role models, cricketing journey, favourite memories, Women’s ODI World Cup 2017 setback

    Q. What do you think are some of the biggest hurdles female cricketers face today?

    Rana: See when we talk about men’s cricket and women’s cricket, women’s cricket is a bit more challenging for female cricketers, as we all know there’s a menstrual cycle that comes into the picture, where women need to deal with various issues suck as cramps, mood swings etc. Cricket as a game now has been in limelight but it wasn’t that popular before, but speaking about difficulties, girls faced many hurdles earlier which women went through to make a name in this game. Yes, there are many more problems but I am sure we all will eventually able to make it through with a strong mindset.

    Q. Who or what inspired you to take up cricket as a professional sport?

    Rana: I started cricket as a fun activity and took this sport as a fun venture, later on when I got good at it, people’s appreciations and media coverage for the sport did help me to take this up as a professional sport. Earlier at my time when I was just starting there were only two names Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami which eventually also leaned me towards the sport. Speaking about inspiration I would really like to say the player, I have seen and grown is MS Dhoni, on field and off the field he has been an inspiration and learning to how to handle a tough situation.

    Q. What qualities are essential for someone to become a successful cricketer?

    Rana: The first and foremost thing is discipline, the more disciplined you are the more heights you will achieve, second is your behaviour, how you are talking to people to everyone, this is something which gets counted in terms of being successful, and the last is your attitude, how you are taking up the results, because sports is something that has many ups and lows which indeed tests a character of the player. A player needs to have a never dying attitude but for me if you ask, discipline is the most important trait a player should have.

    Here’s the full interview:

    Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with New Zealand star Xara Jetly: Netball to Cricket, Dream wickets and favourite IPL team

    This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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