Introduction of U-23 age-group ensured many women’s cricketers are not lost to system, reckons Shikha Pandey

The world will look back at the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia as the proper watershed moment and what the future had to offer in terms of marketing and attracting people to the venues in the women’s cricketing domain. While the quality of cricket was undisputable, the factor that attracted the most is the rise of young talents in the country and the way India blended both youth and experience for a cracking campaign.

As women’s cricket plots its way back with the much-awaited Women’s T20 Challenge in United Arab Emirates, SportsCafe caught up with Shikha Pandey to discuss a range of topics and she passionately spoke about the change in dynamics.

“A lot of women cricketers were lost to the system because there wasn’t an U-23 tournament as not everyone was able to make the transition from U-19 to the senior team, which is not the case anymore. Also, now with zones actively conducting U16 tournaments is the best way forward. The planned U-19 World Cup for girls would further be a great incentive for girls wanting to take up cricket.” 

History was created on the International Women’s Day when more than 86,000 spectators flocked to the giant MCG to cheer for the Indian and the Australian national teams but in a sad pause to the incredible wave, cricket had to stop due to the effect of Coronavirus. Men’s cricket was affected but not as much as women’s cricket, which was riding a surge of momentum. Pandey is absolutely ecstatic at the opportunity to make a return and credited the BCCI for organising the T20 challenge.

But was it difficult being locked down and being negative about the skillset? For Pandey, who was the first international cricketer from her state since Dillip Sardesai who played first-class cricket for Mumbai, it was certainly not a big problem thanks to Goa Cricket Association’s facilities. The pace-bowling all-rounder, who has a knack for living her life beyond the usual framework of a professional cricketer, used that time to hone her other hobbies apart from spending some quality time with her parents during the lockdown.

“Sometimes it’s better to look at the bigger picture. I guess the best way forward is to look ahead optimistically and get women’s cricket back up and running. As professional athletes, staying this long at home is a privilege. But honestly, it's been a while now and I am itching to get back on the field. Lock down period was great because it allowed me to spend some quality time with my parents and pursue hobbies that I haven’t had time for,” Pandey concluded.