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20-year-old Niki Prasad scripted history in her second T20I appearance. On October 18 at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur, she got to bowl for the first time and etched her name in the record books. Niki became the third bowler in the world to take wickets off the first two balls of her T20I career. Niki dismissed Nyasha Gwanzura and Michelle Mavunga off consecutive deliveries to achieve the rare feat.
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The first to achieve the feat was Australia's men's team cricketer Michael Kasprowicz. He took two wickets off the first two balls against New Zealand in the first-ever men's T20I match. Among women cricketers, USA's Akshatha Rao had achieved the feat with two wickets off the first two balls against Bangladesh in 2019.
Niki also became the first Indian bowler (men's or women's) to take a wicket off the first ball of her T20I career. The first to achieve the feat was Ajit Agarkar when he dismissed South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs in 2006. Three years later, Pragyan Ojha got the wicket of Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan. Virat Kohli features in the list as well. Kohli got England's Kevin Pietersen stumped out off a wide ball in 2011.
Skipper Smriti Mandhana had introduced Niki in the 15th over of the innings when Zimbabwe were 75/3. The off-spinner broke the partnership with Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano. The Zimbabwe batter went for a cut shot, but all she could manage was an outside edge, which was taken by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh. Chipo fell for a 32-ball 34. On the next ball, she dismissed Nyasha Gwanzura lbw with a shorter delivery. Nyasha reviewed, but the on-field umpire's decision was right. She was on a hat-trick as Modester Mupachikwa was hit on the pads by a delivery. However, Niki chose not to review a call that could've been close. She felt it was going down the leg side.
“I felt it was going down the leg, so I didn't like using the review,” Niki told the broadcasters during the innings break.
Niki bowled two overs and conceded seven runs. She helped the hosts restrict Zimbabwe to 102/8. She opened up on getting the opportunity to bowl and how she has developed her game.
"I was able to get bowling today and I was able to use that opportunity and deliver for the team," the 20-year-old said.
"I think I just try staying very calm and focus on my basics, so that's why I'm able to apply myself better, with the ball, in the field," she added.
Niki's impact in debut T20I innings with bat too
In the previous game, Niki had made an impact with the bat. Rescuing India from 19/4, she scored an unbeaten 35-ball 39. She shared a crucial partnership with Deepti Sharma (37-ball 49) to ensure that India chase down the target of 115 with plenty of deliveries to spare.
Senior all-rounder Deepti had lauded Niki for her temperament after India lost four wickets early.
"Niki played really well. Honestly, it didn't seem at all like she was making her debut. It felt like she had played quite a few matches in the past, for the country," Deepti had said in her post-match press conference.
"This confidence from a youngster is remarkable - you're building a partnership when the team needs it, winning the match from a tough situation. I'm sure she'll take a lot of confidence from this match."
Record win for India
In the run chase, Niki's services with the bat were not required as openers went berserk. Shafali Verma scored a 55-ball 25, whereas skipper Mandhana remained unbeaten for a 25-ball 47, leading her team to a nine-wicket victory with 11.1 overs to spare. India have now registered their 10 consecutive wins in the T20I format.
This is the biggest victory in terms of balls remaining in a 100-plus T20I run chase. The previous record was in the possession of West Indies when they chased down 107 against Zimbabwe with 65 balls remaining earlier this year.
Mandhana lauds overall performance
After handing a crushing defeat to the visitors, skipper Mandhana lauded bowlers for firing in unison. Her only concern is the fielding department.
“I felt the bowlers were really at the mark today, much better than the first match. They were executing their yorkers, slower ones, bouncers really well. Then spinners, of course, Deepti, Shree, Niki coming in and bowling that two overs. So overall I feel like, yeah, the bowling unit really came together today. Of course, we could have gotten better with the catching today. That's something which we can be critical about,” she said in the post-match presentation.
Shafali’s top knock after sleepless night
Shafali was named 'Player of the match' for her quickfire 55-run knock, which was laced with six fours and four sixes. She shared a 96-run opening partnership with Mandhana. She is getting closer to becoming the first woman to complete 1,000 T20I runs in a calendar year. She has already scored 922 T20I runs this year.
She revealed that she was disappointed about getting out cheaply in the series opener.
“And after yesterday's match, I can't even sleep, the way I got out in first match. But yeah, I'm just trying to, you know, hold my mind and just try to, you know, last day I'm just trying to, you know, just think what to do tomorrow. So just execute that,” she said.
In her debut series since taking over captaincy from Harmanpreet Kaur, Mandhana-led India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead. The third and final T20I of the series will take place at the same venue on October 20. After that, the action will shift to BCA Stadium, Vadodara where the three-ODI series will be played from October 23 to 28.
Will Jintimani Kalita make her debut?
It is yet to be seen whether the pacer Jintimani Kalita will make her debut in the dead rubber T20I on October 20. 22-year-old Jintimani has played two seasons for Mumbai Indians (MI). From 13 games in her Women's Premier League (WPL) career, she has just one wicket. For the previous edition, she was roped in by Gujarat Giants but did not play a game. The Guwahati-born pacer has been retained by Giants for WPL 2027.
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