# Niki Prasad makes international debut against Zimbabwe in Raipur > Under-19 World Cup winning captain Niki Prasad made her senior international debut for India in the first T20 match against Zimbabwe in Raipur. **Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-10-18 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/karanataka-ki-niki-prasad-ne-zimbabwe-ke-khilaaf-kiya-international-debut-smriti-mandhana-ne-sophi-cap-49232 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Niki Prasad, Indian women cricket team, Smriti Mandhana, international debut, Under 19 World Cup, WPL A fresh and promising talent has officially broken into the Indian women's cricket team. All-rounder Niki Prasad made her senior international debut during the opening T20 match against Zimbabwe in Raipur. For the young player from Karnataka, the moment carried immense significance as vice-captain Smriti Mandhana handed over her India cap. The milestone marks a major chapter in Niki's progression from domestic circuits to the highest level of international competition. ## Smriti Mandhana presents cap amid team celebration Just moments before the game commenced, the entire squad gathered on the field where Smriti Mandhana presented Niki Prasad with her cap, offering warm wishes for her journey ahead. Following the presentation, Deepti Sharma and Anushka Sharma embraced her while the rest of the team celebrated the young cricketer's achievement. In a significant tactical move during the match, Niki was sent out to bat at number three, giving the team management a prime opportunity to evaluate her capabilities on the grand stage. ## Triumph at Under-19 World Cup and Asia Cup levels Niki's path to the senior squad reflects years of relentless effort and consistently stellar performances. She captained India to glory in the women's Under-19 T20 World Cup in 2025. Her leadership success extended further when she guided the nation to victory in the inaugural women's Under-19 Asia Cup in 2024. Her composed leadership and all-around contributions during those high-pressure tournaments firmly established her as one of the brightest prospects in the Indian cricketing ecosystem. ## Refining skills with Delhi Capitals in WPL After proving her mettle in age-group cricket, Niki further sharpened her abilities while representing Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League. Spending two seasons within the franchise setup allowed her to share the dressing room with some of the biggest names in world cricket, imparting maturity to her game. Across 18 WPL matches, she has accumulated 153 runs at an average of 30.60 and a strike rate of 119.53, with a highest score of 47 runs. ## Impactful performances against Australia A Her entry into the senior setup was heavily backed by strong outings in recent domestic and India A fixtures. While playing for India A against Australia A, Niki delivered standout performances with both bat and ball. During a T20 fixture in Mullanpur where the Indian side found itself in early trouble, she unleashed a fierce counter-attack, smashing 54 runs from just 31 balls. That knock underscored her ability to shift momentum under severe pressure. She followed it up with an unbeaten 32 in the opening one-day match, steering the team to a four-wicket victory. ## Proving credentials as a reliable all-rounder Niki's utility extends far beyond her batting, as she remains a vital bowling option for her side. During the unofficial Test match against Australia A, she wreaked havoc with her bowling to claim five wickets. Furthermore, she finished as the leading wicket-taker in the three-match one-day series, bagging 9 scalps while maintaining an economy rate of 6.20. Such a multi-dimensional skill set made it impossible for selectors to overlook her credentials any longer. ## What this means for you Niki Prasad's international debut opens fresh pathways for young and talented players entering the senior setup in Indian women's cricket. - **Indian Women's Cricket:** The team management has gained a dependable all-around option in the middle order ahead of major upcoming international assignments. Continuous promotion of top performers from domestic and A-team circuits validates a merit-based selection approach. - **Domestic and WPL Players:** Young female cricketers across Karnataka and other states will find renewed motivation knowing that stellar performances in domestic tournaments and developmental tours directly lead to national selection. This inclusion raises the competitive benchmark across upcoming domestic fixtures. ## Why this happened Niki Prasad's selection into the senior national team was driven by her consistent displays and leadership success over recent seasons. Her elevation stems from standout performances in age-group tournaments, franchise cricket, and developmental fixtures against Australia A. - **Under-19 Success:** Leading India to the Under-19 T20 World Cup title in 2025 and the inaugural Asia Cup in 2024 established her tactical acumen and readiness for higher levels. - **WPL Exposure:** Spending two seasons with Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League allowed her to train alongside world-class players and refine her overall game. - **Australia A Tour Outings:** Scoring a rapid 54 off 31 balls in Mullanpur alongside taking 9 wickets across the one-day series provided the decisive push for her senior national call-up. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Against which team did Niki Prasad make her international debut? Niki Prasad made her international debut in the first T20 match against Zimbabwe in Raipur. ### 2. Who presented the India cap to Niki Prasad? Experienced vice-captain Smriti Mandhana presented the India cap to Niki Prasad on the field. ### 3. Which state does Niki Prasad represent in domestic cricket? Niki Prasad is a young cricketer from Karnataka and plays her domestic cricket from there. ### 4. In which year did Niki lead India to the Under-19 World Cup title? Niki Prasad captained India to victory in the women's Under-19 T20 World Cup in 2025. ### 5. Which franchise has Niki Prasad represented in the WPL? Niki Prasad has represented Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League. ### 6. How many wickets did Niki take during the series against Australia A? Niki was the leading wicket-taker in the one-day series against Australia A, bagging 9 scalps. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. 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