Team India defeated South Africa in a thrilling final showdown at the Under 19 Women's T20 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur on February 2. The women-in-blue won by a significant margin of 9 wickets, with 52 balls remaining. Star of the match Gongadi Trisha propelled the team to victory as she picked up 3 wickets and scored an unbeaten 44 runs in the second innings. India's skilful spin bowling dismantled South Africa for a mere 82 runs, which India comfortably chased down in just 12 overs.
The Indian Women's Under 19 team is captained by Niki Siribhagwan Prasad, a dynamic 19-year-old prodigy who led the team to win all seven matches this season. Following in the footsteps of her idol Harmanpreet Kaur -- the Indian women's national team captain, the teenager from Karnataka is poised to take Indian cricket to new heights.
Who Is Niki Prasad?
Niki Prasad from Bengaluru is a rising star in India's sports landscape. Like many cricketers, she started playing with a tennis ball at a local ground and soon realised her undying passion for the sport. Her parents soon enrolled her in a youth academy, where the only girl. Despite these initial challenges, her skill soon earned the admiration of her peers.
Prasad started playing professionally when she was just nine years old in the Under-16 team. At 11 years old, she played her maiden Under-19 game. She made her senior cricket debut at age 13. In an interview with News18, she once recalled how her mother's undying support helped her balance her formative education and sporting career.
Prasad has been the captain of the Karnataka U19 team and propelled them to many victories, including the BCCI U-19 Women’s T20 Trophy 2022. In 2024, she was picked unanimously as the captain of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup and the 2025 ICC Under-19 World Cup. She was also recently chosen to play in the Women's Premier League 2025.
According to Crixtasy, Niki Prasad earned ₹10 lakh in the WPL auction to represent Delhi Capitals. She will play alongside global champions like Captain Meg Lanning, Annabel Sutherland, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Shafali Verma, and more. Speaking about India's U19 World Cup win, Prasad expressed pride and joy.
"We wanted to go out there and show what we can do. Thanks to the BCCI for giving us the best facilities. I'm feeling happy that I'm right here standing, making sure India stays on top. It's a special moment. At the start of the tournament, I mentioned we’re here to dominate, to ensure India stays on top," she said in a post-match interview.