Malavika Prasad looks to inspire Kerala women’s football with participation in the 2026 Asian Cup

From IM Vijayan, Jo Paul Ancheri to Bentla D’couth, Kerala’s football potential needs no introduction.

When India begin their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign against Vietnam on Wednesday, Malavika Prasad could become the latest addition to that list, wearing the India badge on the biggest stage.

For the winger from Kasaragod, the road to a professional career started by watching some of her family members play. By the time she was in fifth grade, she had already started putting on her boots and stepping onto the field.

What started as a hobby grew into a routine within a few years.

«When I started, I didn’t even know about the Indian Women’s League (IWL). After two to three years, I came to know that such a league existed, and then I discovered the senior Indian players, and I wanted to be like them,» Malavika said. Sports stars.

“So I started working hard for that dream, and that’s how I ended up here,” she added.

Malavika had her family behind her, but not public opinion outside of it.

«People (outside my family) started suggesting that my dream wouldn’t come true. Wearing the India shirt is my perfect response to them,» Malavika added with a grin.

Despite being just 22, Malavika has had valuable playing time with the now defunct Kerala Blasters Women and currently plays as a right winger for Sethu FC in the IWL. In 2024, she was named Kerala’s best female player by the State Association.

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A year later the national team came along. Head coach Crispin Chhetri named her in the squad for India’s friendlies against Uzbekistan in June.

“It was like ten years of my hard work finally paid off,” Malavika recalls.

She then scored from the bench in her competitive debut against Mongolia in the Asian Cup qualifiers as India won emphatically 13–0. Being on the field tested her nerves, but sitting helplessly on the bench – during India’s do-or-die match against Thailand – was even worse.

«I still remember everything about that match. The seniors were playing on the field, but we were as active as they were on the sidelines. It was 1-1, and even after Sangita Basfore scored the second, we were scared,» Malavika recalled.

«It was only after the final whistle that we breathed a sigh of relief. The team did very well in the battle and everyone had the mentality that even if we die, we will not miss this opportunity,» she added.

An opportunity to grow

Competition on the right wing from the experienced Manisha Kalyan and Soumya Guguloth could likely reduce Malavika’s playing time in the continental competition.

But according to assistant coach Priya PV, Malavika is one of the important future prospects.

“She has good physicality and knows how to use her strength and speed,” Priya, a former player herself, noted about Malavika. “She is a very calm and obedient person. Even if our coaches keep pushing her, she does not lose her composure and keeps going, trying to reach the next level.”

With a new head coach, Amelia Valverde, arriving ahead of the Asian Cup, Malavika noted that «the game started to get faster.»

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«During training we started doing everything at high intensity. Our touches have gotten better, and day by day everyone is more focused,» she said.

With just five caps to her name, Malavika is perhaps one of the least experienced members of the squad.

But being the sole representative from Kerala in the 26-member team, she carries the responsibility of inspiring more youth from the state.

«Despite everything we have achieved in women’s football, there are still talented players who don’t take it so seriously. They just play but don’t dream of playing for their country or even the state. We have to help and try to change this,» Malavika said.

Kerala has been a goldmine of footballers. Malavika could very well prove it again next Wednesday at the Asian Cup in Australia.

Published on March 2, 2026