Shikha Pandey is a brave Indian cricketer. She plays for the national women's team. On January 10, 2026, she remains a key player in cricket circles.
Early Life
Shikha Pandey came into the world on May 12, 1989. She was born in Ramagundam, Andhra Pradesh. Now it is part of Telangana. Her father loved cricket a lot. He listened to matches on a small radio. He told her stories from games. This sparked her dream early. She grew up in Goa later. Her family moved there. Cricket fields were not common for girls then. But she watched boys play. She wanted to join them. At age 10, she picked up a bat. She hit balls with joy. Her talent shone quick. Neighbors saw her run fast. They clapped for her shots.
School days were tough. She studied hard too. In class ten exams, she got third rank in the state. Marks were over 90 percent. Everyone praised her brain. But cricket pulled her heart. She balanced books and ball. Mornings meant gym work. Afternoons brought long trips to train. She traveled 12 km daily. Boys trained there too. She faced fast bowlers. This made her sharp.
Shikha Pandey Age, Height, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Birth Place, Family
Career
Shikha joined Goa team at 15. She was the first from her state to play big cricket. No girl or boy from Goa had done it before. Surekha Bhandare spotted her. She was a selector then. "Raw talent," she said. Shikha learned leather ball cricket. It was new and hard. She worked on grit. No natural flair, but hard work won. College came next. She picked Electronics Engineering. Goa College of Engineering was her place.
Studies ate time. Cricket took back seat for years. But in second year, fire returned. She trained under Nitin Vernekar. He was a Goa coach. She bowled to boys under 19. Pace sharpened her skills. She juggled college and nets. Year 2010 brought degree. Big companies wanted her. Three offered jobs. She said no. Cricket called louder. She took one year off. Full focus on game. In July 2011, big change. She joined Indian Air Force. June 2012 made her officer. She controls air traffic now. Rank rose to Squadron Leader by 2020.
International Debut
March 2014 marked history. Shikha debuted in T20 against Bangladesh. India won that day. She felt pride. ODI came soon. Test match too. She played one Test and two ODIs vs England. Her bat spoke loud. Big day on November 26, 2014. India faced South Africa. Shikha took 3 wickets. She scored 59 runs. Victory came home.
Fans cheered wild. Sudha Shah, old coach, pushed her up order. No.4 spot worked magic. She knew then, bat can win too. First woman to take 3 wickets and 50 runs in ODI. Record etched. World Cup 2020 tested her. She played key games. Air Force duties ran side by side. She lived dream. Hard work paid off. Teammates call her "Shikhipedia." She knows all stats. Leader on field.
Playing Style
Shikha bowls right arm medium. Swing is her weapon. She hits top order hard. Bat comes right hand too. Allrounder true. No big hits, but steady runs. Grit defines her. Reaction time beats pace. Boys training helped. She fields sharp. Runs save games. In T20, she grabs wickets early. ODIs see long spells. Tests need patience. She has it all. Goa pride swells. First from state board to India. Dilip Sardesai followed by her. History maker.
Key Matches
South Africa 2014 stays gold. 3/ something and 59. Win sealed. England series showed steel. T20 World Cup moments thrill. Dropped once, she bounced back. Selectors trust her now. Recent games keep her fit. January 2026 sees her active. She faced drops too. Comebacks prove class. Air Force postings challenge. She manages both. Travel, duty, nets. Routine rocks.
Personal Life
Family roots her. Father pushed studies first. Mother supported dreams. No boyfriend news public. Private girl. Engineering mind stays. She writes tips now? Some say. But cricket first. Air Force life suits. Uniform brings honor. She controls flights safe. Double role inspires girls. Goa hails her. Statues? Not yet. But hearts full. Hobbies keep simple. Gym daily. Family time key. She reads cricket books. Learns always. No show off. Quiet fighter.
Challenges
Early days lacked coaches. Girls rare in boys nets. Long travels tired. Studies pulled other way. Jobs tempted. She chose risk. Injuries hit. Drops hurt. But rise each time. COVID paused world. She trained home. Comeback strong. Air Force demands fit. Postings far. Matches clash sometimes. She juggles pro. Perseverance her badge.
Awards
First Goa to India. First woman ODI 3wickets-50. Air Force star. No big trophy named. But respect huge. Squadron Leader rank proud. Fans vote her hero.
Recent Updates
As of 2026, she plays domestic. National call waits. Fitness prime. Air Force duties on. Inspires young. Girls in Goa bat like her. Legacy builds. She shares tips online? Some sites say. Writing on cricket? Unclear. Main game rules. Shikha shows dreams work. Study, play, serve. Girls see hope. From small town to world. Goa beams. India cheers. Her story motivates. Pick bat. Work hard. Win big. Simple path. True tale.