Shikha Pandey: The Cricket Facet of the Engineer

There’s not an awful lot of cricket that Shikha Pandey has played so far. Debuting in 2014 doesn’t make the current member of the Indian team a veteran. But from the limited exposure past 4 years of international duties have presented, Shikha Pandey has emerged as a truly dedicated cricketer.



Perhaps that forms the middle name of a truly uncomplicated cricketer whose approach to the game can be measured by the build-up to approaching the popping crease- uncomplicated and simple.



Someone who doesn’t talk an awful lot, Shikha’s economy in the usage of words lends perfect compliment to her economy as a strike bowler. It may not occur to us and there may not be sufficient appreciation extended to quite an emphatic cricketer but an economy of 6.8 in T20 cricket and 4 in ODIs mark her presence as truly one of the most talented prospects in international cricket.



In the past few months, impressionably from 2017 onward, whenever India have managed to restrict its prodigious opponents whether it’s South Africa or Australia, it’s been largely due to the efforts of bowlers hunting in pairs; pace cauldron spearheaded by Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey, striking along with spinners to turn things India’s way.



During Australia’s recent hammering of India, unceremoniously occurring in India, one of the highs of a largely one-sided series apart from Mandhana’s form was Shikha Pandey clinching 5 wickets from just 3 games, including a 3-for in the second ODI.



Another memorable outcome for Shikha Pandey- the right armer demonstrating her true potential- came in the build-up to the 2017 World Cup game- a qualifier against South Africa. Together with spinners, Pandey ensured that South Africa would be found wanting in their bid to better just 205 on the board.



While the victory spurred India to the position of unassailability in a largely successful campaign to the world cup, it was Shikha Pandey’s 4-34, her career-best figures that truncated South Africa’s attempt to reach 206. One’s not sure though if the feet has truly been celebrated or has it?



The smiling celebrations quintessentially marked by a low sounding grunt and the clinch of the fist put forward the image of a searing fast bowler who’s not the easiest to score of. The coy smile.



While much of the current focus stands with the rising, belligerent batting talents of Smriti Madhana and Jemimah Rodrigues- joys for any side to have- one gets the feeling that the bowlers, apart from the exception of Deepti Sharma and Poonam Yadav don’t quite find enough fodder for discussion.



But when you think that in the wake of the retirement of exceptional old-guard Jhulan Goswami, there’s the one burgeoning hope for the bowling cauldron to take the attack to India’s opponents, there’s this quiet reassurance in Shikha Pandey. And it’s a facet that is slated to serve Indian cricket for times to come.