Shikha Pandey: It is tough when you put in all the hard yards and still results don’t go your way. Senior Indian Women’s cricket team all-rounder Shikha Pandey is undergoing this painful experience after she was snubbed for the Bangladesh tour despite very good performances in Women’s Premier League (WPL). Playing for Delhi Capitals, the medium pacer took 10 wickets in nine games and helped DC reach finals in the inaugural edition of WPL.
However, when the squad announced Shikha could not find a place in T20 and ODI squads. Speaking to former India Women’s Cricket Team’s head coach WV Raman, the all-rounder could not control her tears and said, “If I say I am not frustrated and angry, then I am not a human being. It’s difficult when you don’t get the results for the work you have put in.”
“I am sure there’s some reason behind it, which I do not know. What’s in my hands is work hard, and I am a stout believer in hard work. So it’s just about working hard until I am mentally and physically fit,” Shikha added.
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Shikha Pandey: ‘I was about to quit cricket’ Shikha reveals the lowest phase in her career when she was not picked for ODI World Cup
Shikha is not new to facing snubs from BCCI. The medium pacer was also left out of the team, for ODI World Cup 2022 despite bowling well in domestic tournaments. Shikha’s shocking omission from the showpiece event invited severe criticism from experts and netzines. The all-rounder talked about that period when she was thinking about quitting the game. Raman helped Shika to come out of that phase by saying you have a lot more to offer.
“When I was dropped, I thought walking away from cricket was the right thing to do. Then it was suggested that it was an emotional period and I needed to give myself more time.” “You (Raman) thought I still had a lot of cricket left in me, and I should play until the time I enjoy the sport. I am disappointed right now, but the situation I am put in is out of my control, and the decisions I take to get out of are completely in my hands, “ the all-rounder added.
Shika is not the only player to be dropped from the squad for the Bangladesh series. RCB duo Renuka Singh and Richa Ghosh have also not been included. India will play three ODIs and three T20Is against Bangladesh starting from July 9.
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