New Delhi, May 11: Shikha Pandey has carved a unique identity with her engineering degree, a position as a Flight Lieutenant in the Air Force, and her fast bowling on the cricket field. The star player of the Indian women’s cricket team has fulfilled many dreams in her life. She was part of the team that reached the finals of the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2017.
Born on May 12, 1989, in Ramagundam, Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana), Shikha was always dedicated to her studies while also nurturing a keen interest in cricket. She learned the intricacies of the game without neglecting her education. At just 15, she was selected for the Goa team, and by 17, she made it to the senior state team. Shikha seized every opportunity on the 22-yard pitch, rapidly advancing her cricket career.
In 2010, while establishing her identity in cricket, Shikha graduated with a degree in Electronics Engineering from Goa College of Engineering. She received job offers from several major companies but turned them down to focus entirely on cricket. In 2011, she joined the Air Force, yet her aspiration to become a cricketer remained unwavering.
Shikha’s dream came true in 2014 when she debuted internationally against Bangladesh, impressing everyone with her bowling. That same year, she made her ODI and Test debuts for India. In the 2017 ODI World Cup, she played a crucial role in leading the Indian team to the finals, taking 8 wickets in 7 matches with an economy rate of just 4.32.
In the 2020 T20 World Cup, Shikha continued to shine, taking 7 wickets in 5 matches with an economy of 6.85, helping secure a place for the Indian team in the finals. She also became the first Air Force officer to play international cricket.
Following Dilip Sardesai, Shikha became the first cricketer from Goa to represent the Indian national team. To date, she has played 3 Tests, 55 ODIs, and 62 T20 internationals for India, claiming 4 wickets in Tests, 75 in ODIs, and 43 in T20Is.
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