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The versatile seam bowler of India, Shikha Pandey has etched her name in the history of Indian cricket as one of the most prominent and inspirational figures. Her ability to swing the ball both ways has made Pandey an invaluable asset for the Indian women’s cricket team. Born on May 12, 1989, in Ramagundam, Andhra Pradesh, India, Shikha grew up in an orthodox family where pursuing cricket wasn’t a conventional or acceptable choice for a woman. Although her passion for cricket met a lot of criticism, her courage to pursue her dreams knew no bounds. Shikha’s cricketing journey started from the dusty grounds of her hometown, Karimnagar.
The key player of the Indian women’s cricket squad, Shikha Pandey made her international breakthrough in 2014. Over the years, Pandey has been known and credited for her seamless performance on the field in both ODIs and T20Is. With her swing ability and precise timing, Pandey played a pivotal role and assisted the team to reach the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017 final. Her diverse variations and commendable control of the ball garnered her a lot of appreciation from the selectors and cricket aficionados and solidified her position as a driving force in the Indian women’s national cricket team.
Apart from cricket, Shikha is also acknowledged for her advocacy for gender equality in the sport of cricket. Pandey is known for being a part of numerous initiatives that support and encourage equal opportunities for women cricketers. Pandey’s discipline and determination have created a legacy for aspiring young female cricketers who want to enter the arena mainly dominated by men and create a name for themselves. Shikha Pandey actively provides mentorship both, on and off the field to younger players in the Indian women’s cricket team.
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Shikha Pandey biography
Real Name: Shikha Subas Pandey
Nickname: Shikhipedia, cricket geek
Profession: Indian Professional cricketer
Nationality: Indian
Religion: Hinduism
Hometown: Goa, India
Net Worth: $500,000
Batting Style: Right-hand ena
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast medium
Playing Role: All-rounder
Shikha Pandey physical status
Height: 1.68 m
Weight: 60 Kg
Body Measurements: 34-28-34
Build: Athletic
Eye color: Black
Hair color: Black
Shikha Pandey personal life
Date of Birth: 12 May 1989
Place of Birth: Ramagundam, Andhra Pradesh, India
School: N/A
College: Goa Engineering College
Highest Educational Qualifications: B. Tech. in Electronics
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Food Habits: Non-Vegetarian
Hobbies: Reading
Shikha Pandey family life
Mother’s Name: N/A
Father’s Name: Subas Pandey
Sibling’s Name: N/A
Marital Status: Unmarried
Spouse Name: N/A
Children’s Name: N/A
Shikha Pandey favourites
Favorite Actor: Vijay Deverakonda
Favorite Actress: Ananya Nagalla
Favorite Cuisine: South-Indian
Favorite Batsman: Shaun Pollock
Favorite Bowler: Harbhajan Singh
Favorite Movie: Mallesham
Also Read: ODI World Cup 2023: 5 big players with a disappointing tournament
Major Achievements of Shikha Pandey
- Shikha joined the Indian Air Force in 2011 and she was commissioned as the air traffic controller in 2012.
- Shikha was the first Indian cricketer to represent Goa in a cricket match.
- Shikha holds the record for being the first Indian woman cricketer to smash a half-century and pick up three wickets in a bilateral series against South Africa in 2014.
- Shikha Pandey’s swing delivery that dismissed Wasim Jaffer during the second T20I in 2021 was claimed to be the ‘ball of the century’.
- Shikha held the rank of Squadron Leader during the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Here are some lesser known facts about Shikha Pandey
- While she was a child, Shikha’s father used to listen to cricket commentary on his transistor which made her interested in the sport.
- Shikha was an extremely bright student and she scored an aggregate of 90% in her secondary school examinations.
- Although Shikha was strongly inclined towards cricket, she decided to pursue engineering under her father’s influence.
- After completing her degree, Shikha decided to take a year gap and play cricket to try her luck.
- Shikha’s ‘ball of the century’ which dismissed Wasim Jaffer went viral on social media and earned her a lot of appreciation and praise from the cricket aficionados around the world.
