Niki Prasad to Captain India in Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup 2025

Indian women's Under-19 cricket team will defend their title at the Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup in 2025 as Niki Prasad has been confirmed to lead the same side which just won the Under-19 Women's Asia Cup. The Asia Cup victory this time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, India won the final game against Bangladesh by 41 runs and the side that has been sent to the World Cup from January 18 till February 2, 2025. Change in the side is making Vaishnavi S replace medium-pacer Nandhana S who is selected as a standby player for the world cup.

The 15-strong World Cup squad boasts big names including the Player of the Match in the Asia Cup final, who topped scored with 52 runs. Gongadi Trisha played a very important part in India's success; she partnered with G Kamalini who also turned out to be a surprise package scoring an unbeaten 44. This happens to be on the day she got herself a WPL contract with Mumbai Indians.

Besides Kamalini, some Asia Cup players have got their first WPL contracts too. Prasad has been taken by Delhi Capitals herself while VJ Joshitha will play for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Medium-pacer Shabnam Shakil comes from Gujarat Giants. The Pakistani has four WPL matches to her credit. In addition, she also had a stint playing for India A in Australia during this year. Along with Shabnam, Trisha and Sonam Yadav will return for the second Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup, who played in the inaugural edition.

The Indian team will carry the momentum of their great performance at the Asia Cup into the World Cup. India had won all their group matches, except one against Nepal that got washed away, and then went on to win Super Fours matches against Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Their performances were concluded with their 41-run victory over Bangladesh in the final, which helped them claim the title.

There will be 16 teams, and that shall be split into four groups of four teams. India, therefore, shall play in group A against Malaysia, West Indies, and Sri Lanka being the champions. The Group matches will be played in Kuala Lumpur's Bayuemas Oval. They start playing on the 19th of January with West Indies and the next on 21st January, facing Malaysia and the third in the league group on the 23rd of January versus Sri Lanka. This leaves the tournament to its Super Sixes, as they take forward the three leading teams of each pool for further contest. Points from the group stages, along with net run-rate, will be carried over to the Super Sixes. The teams that finish first in each group will advance to the semi-finals, to be played on January 31. The final is scheduled for February 2, 2025.

India's squad for the 2025 Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup:

Niki Prasad (c)

Sanika Chalke (vc)

Gongadi Trisha

G Kamalini (wk)

Bhavika Ahire (wk)

Ishwari Awasare

Mithila Vinod

VJ Joshitha

Sonam Yadav

Parunika Sisodiya

Kesari Drithi

Aayushi Shukla

Anandita Kishor

MD Shabnam

Vaishnavi S

Stand by players

Nandhana S

Ira J

Anadi T

With an extremely capable team and a robust past of the Asia Cup, Indian women's U-19 team will focus on yet another victory in the women's T20 World Cup 2025. With Niki Prasad leading the young talents, who are now focusing on entering the world scene and thereby solidifying their position within women's cricket.