Niki Prasad creates world record with two wickets in first 2 T20I balls

Niki Prasad creates world record with two wickets in first 2 T20I balls

Niki Prasad Makes T20I History with Two Wickets from Her First Two Balls

India’s Niki Prasad has made a remarkable start to her international career, claiming a rare world record during the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur. The young off-spinner took a wicket with each of her first two deliveries in T20I cricket, becoming the first Indian player—across both men’s and women’s cricket—to achieve the feat.

Prasad’s debut spell helped India restrict Zimbabwe to 102 for 9 before the hosts raced to a nine-wicket victory. The result gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, turning a memorable personal milestone into a significant team success.

A Dream Start to Prasad’s T20I Career

India captain Smriti Mandhana brought Prasad into the attack in the 15th over, with Zimbabwe looking to build momentum. The 20-year-old made an immediate impact. Her first delivery removed Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, who was caught by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh. Prasad followed it up by trapping Nyasha Gwanzura lbw on the very next ball, sending the batter back without scoring.

Two balls into her T20I career, Prasad had two wickets. She finished with figures of 2 for 7 from two overs, an economical and decisive contribution in a low-scoring Zimbabwe innings. Her performance offered a striking example of how a bowler can change the shape of a match in a single over—even when introduced relatively late in the innings.

The achievement is especially notable because taking a wicket with a debut delivery is already uncommon. Claiming two wickets from the first two balls is rarer still, placing Prasad in a small group of players in international T20 cricket.

How the Record Fits into T20I History

Prasad is the first Indian cricketer to take two wickets from the opening two deliveries of a T20I career. She is also the third player in the world to reach the milestone, joining Australia’s Michael Kasprowicz and USA’s Akshatha Rao.

Kasprowicz achieved the feat against New Zealand in Auckland on February 17, 2005, dismissing Stephen Fleming and Matthew Sinclair with his first two T20I deliveries. Rao recorded the same distinction for the United States against Bangladesh on September 1, 2019, when she removed Ayasha Rahman and Sanjida Islam.

Several other bowlers have opened their T20I wicket accounts with a first-ball dismissal, but Prasad’s consecutive breakthroughs set her debut apart. Among the women’s players previously credited with a wicket on their first T20I ball are Chloe Tryon, Akshatha Rao and Suhani Thadani. Prasad’s accomplishment goes a step further: she struck twice before facing a third delivery in the format.

Indian men’s cricket has also seen players take a wicket with their first T20I ball. Ajit Agarkar dismissed Herschelle Gibbs in 2006, Pragyan Ojha removed Shakib Al Hasan in 2009, and Virat Kohli was involved in Kevin Pietersen’s dismissal in 2011. None of those players took another wicket from the second ball of their T20I careers.

India’s Bowlers Set Up a Comfortable Chase

Prasad’s spell was part of a disciplined bowling performance that kept Zimbabwe to 102 in their 20 overs. The total left India with a manageable target, and the home side’s batters made quick work of the chase.

Shafali Verma led the charge with an aggressive 55, while Mandhana contributed an unbeaten 47. Their partnership carried India to the target in just 8.5 overs, with nine wickets still in hand. The emphatic result secured the series for India at 2-0 ahead of the final match in Raipur on October 20.

For Prasad, the match provided an ideal introduction to senior international cricket: a record-setting contribution, a place in the history books and a victory for her team. Her figures may look modest in volume, but the timing of her wickets helped prevent Zimbabwe from building a competitive finish.

From Under-19 Captain to Senior India Debutant

Prasad’s breakthrough comes after a successful rise through India’s age-group system. The Karnataka cricketer captained India to the 2025 ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup title, helping lead the team to its second championship in the tournament. That experience offered her exposure to leadership, pressure and international competition before her senior debut.

She made her T20I debut on October 16 in Raipur, just days before producing her record-setting spell. A fast start does not guarantee what comes next, but it gives the young spinner a valuable platform as she continues to adapt to the demands of senior cricket. Her control, composure and ability to attack immediately will be qualities to watch as her role develops.

What Comes Next for Niki Prasad?

Prasad’s debut performance has naturally prompted interest in her future with India. The next step will be building consistency across different opponents, conditions and match situations. As an off-spinner, she may be asked to contain batters during the middle overs, create breakthroughs when partnerships form, or contribute in shorter spells depending on the team’s plans.

Any prediction about her long-term impact should be balanced: one exceptional outing is only the beginning of an international career. Still, the manner of her arrival—two wickets in two balls, followed by an economical spell in a series-clinching win—provides plenty of reason for optimism.

India’s victory in Raipur was powered by a dominant batting chase, but Prasad supplied its most historic moment. By dismissing Mugeri-Tiripano and Gwanzura with her first two T20I deliveries, she transformed her debut into a landmark performance and added a new chapter to India’s cricket record books.

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