Senior Indian women’s cricketer Shikha Pandey, despite her outstanding performance in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in March, finds herself feeling hard done after being excluded from the women’s cricket squad for the upcoming white-ball series against Bangladesh. Pandey, who made a comeback into the Indian team for the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, is left without any explanation for her omission.
During the WPL 2023, where she represented Delhi Capitals, Pandey emerged as the best Indian pacer and the second-highest wicket-taker among Indian bowlers, just behind Mumbai Indians spinner Saika Ishaque. With 10 wickets in 9 matches, Pandey showcased consistent performances for the Meg Lanning-led side. However, her efforts were overlooked by the selectors, leaving her puzzled and disappointed.
In an interview with former India women’s coach WV Raman on Sportstar, Pandey expressed her frustration, saying, “It’s only natural to feel frustrated and angry when you don’t receive the desired results for the hard work you’ve put in.”
While discussing her omission from the Bangladesh series, Pandey became emotional, expressing that all she can control is her dedication and hard work. She vowed to give her best and strive to be mentally and physically fit, believing in the power of hard work. She added, “There must be a reason behind it that I am unaware of. What I can focus on is putting in the effort and being resilient.”
The 34-year-old fast bowler acknowledged her deep disappointment but recognized that the decision lies beyond her control. It has been taken completely out of her hands, leaving her to cope with the circumstances.
Not only Pandey, but regular players Renuka Singh Thakur and Richa Ghosh were also left out of the six-match series against Bangladesh, with no mention of their injuries or rest reasons.
Despite the disappointment and unanswered questions, Pandey remains determined to stay committed and work hard, hoping for future opportunities to showcase her skills and make a comeback to the Indian team.