India’s Niki Prasad made history in the second T20I against Zimbabwe by taking a wicket off each of the first two balls of her T20I career. The 20-year-old became the first Indian cricketer, across men’s and women’s cricket, to achieve the rare feat and only the third player in the world to do so.

Playing in Raipur, the former India U19 captain finished with figures of 2 for 7 in two overs. Her quick double strike played a key role in restricting Zimbabwe to 102 runs in their 20 overs.

Niki had led India to their second ICC Women’s U19 World Cup title in 2025. She made her senior T20I debut on October 16 and followed it up with a memorable performance against Zimbabwe just two days later.

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Niki Prasad Takes Two Wickets Off First Two Balls

India captain Smriti Mandhana brought Niki into the attack in the 15th over of Zimbabwe’s innings. The young bowler made an immediate impact by dismissing Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano off her first delivery.

Mugeri-Tiripano, who was Zimbabwe’s highest scorer in the match, was caught by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh.

Niki struck again on the very next ball, trapping Nyasha Gwanzura leg-before-wicket for a golden duck. The two wickets in successive deliveries gave the Indian youngster a place in the record books.

Her spell ended with figures of 2 for 7, making her India’s most successful bowler in terms of wickets in the match.

Niki Becomes First Indian To Achieve The Feat

Before Niki, three Indian cricketers had taken a wicket with the first ball of their T20I careers: Ajit Agarkar, Pragyan Ojha and Virat Kohli. However, none of them managed to take another wicket off the very next delivery.

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Agarkar dismissed South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs in Johannesburg in December 2006. Ojha removed Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan during the 2009 T20 World Cup, while Kohli dismissed Kevin Pietersen against England in Manchester in 2011.

Niki has now gone a step further by claiming two wickets off the first two balls of her T20I career.

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Only Two Players Had Achieved The Feat Before Niki

Before Niki’s performance, only two players had taken wickets off the first two balls of their T20I careers.

Australia’s Michael Kasprowicz was the first to do so, dismissing Stephen Fleming and Mathew Sinclair in consecutive deliveries during his T20I debut against New Zealand in Auckland on February 17, 2005.

USA’s Akshatha Rao later achieved the feat in a women’s T20I against Bangladesh on September 1, 2019. She dismissed Ayasha Rahman and Sanjida Islam off the first two balls of her international career.

Niki has now joined this exclusive list, becoming the first Indian to achieve the milestone in T20I cricket.

Niki’s Spell Restricts Zimbabwe To 102

Niki’s two wickets came at a crucial stage of Zimbabwe’s innings and helped India keep the visitors’ total under control. Zimbabwe managed just 102 runs in their allotted 20 overs.

For the young Indian cricketer, the performance was another important step after captaining India to the Women’s U19 World Cup title in 2025.

Having made her senior international debut only on October 16, Niki has already produced a performance that will be remembered as one of the most unusual starts to a T20I career.


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