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Over the past decade, the emergence of fast bowlers has been one of the key reasons behind the success of Indian women’s cricket.

Over the past decade, the emergence of fast bowlers has been one of the key reasons behind the success of Indian women’s cricket. Shikha Pandey is one of the prominent names among them. Shikha Pandey is one of the most reliable fast bowlers in Indian women’s cricket, known for her discipline, swing bowling, and calm demeanor.
While spectacular performances may not always be her forte, her consistency, control, and especially her ability to perform well on challenging pitches make her incredibly valuable to India. This blog tells you everything about Shikha Pandey, including her debut date, age, biography, stats, records, net worth, ICC ranking, and entire career journey, in simple and easy-to-understand language.
Shikha Pandey is an Indian international cricketer who bowls right-arm medium-fast and bats in the lower order. She represents India in all formats of women’s cricket and is primarily known for her ability to swing the ball and bowl economically. Beyond her cricketing prowess, Shikha Pandey is also admired for her intelligence and discipline. She successfully balances her cricketing career with her studies and is often considered one of the finest personalities in Indian cricket.
Shikha Pandey was born on May 12, 1989, in Karwar, Karnataka, India. She comes from a middle-class family where education and discipline were highly valued. From a young age, Shikha was interested not only in sports but also in academics. Until she made cricket her full-time profession, she excelled in her studies and even cleared the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE). She also trained with the Indian Air Force and later joined the Indian Air Force (IAF), which greatly contributed to her discipline, fitness, and mental strength.
Her journey in professional cricket began when she followed her passion and started training seriously with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
Shikha Pandey will turn 36 in 2025. Even at this stage of her career, she is incredibly fit and therefore continues to play at the top level. Her experience serves as valuable mentorship for the younger members of the team.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shikha Pandey |
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1989 |
| Age | 36 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Karwar, Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Cricketer |
| Role | Bowler |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm medium-fast |
| International Team | India Women |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Net Worth | ₹6–8 crore (approx.) |
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WTests | 3 | 5 | 2 | 55 | 28* | 18.33 | 206 | 26.69 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| WODIs | 55 | 34 | 9 | 512 | 59 | 20.48 | 568 | 90.14 | 0 | 2 | 66 | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| WT20Is | 62 | 28 | 12 | 208 | 26* | 13.00 | 263 | 79.08 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 2 | 18 | 0 |
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WTests | 3 | 5 | 249 | 141 | 4 | 2/33 | 3/58 | 35.25 | 3.39 | 62.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WODIs | 55 | 55 | 2,472 | 1,644 | 75 | 4/18 | 4/18 | 21.92 | 3.99 | 32.9 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| WT20Is | 62 | 56 | 1,040 | 1,125 | 43 | 3/14 | 3/14 | 26.16 | 6.49 | 24.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh on January 11, 2014, while his T20I debut came on April 5, 2014, also against Bangladesh. His Test debut against England on August 13, 2014, was particularly memorable, as he took five wickets in the match and impressed everyone with his accuracy and confidence.
Although Shikha Pandey never actively pursued setting records, she still has some notable achievements to her name:
She took five wickets on her Test debut.
Shikha Pandey has consistently featured in the ICC Women’s Bowling Rankings, particularly in ODIs.
Her ranking reflects not just her pace, but more importantly, her control and effectiveness.
Shikha Pandey is a disciplined frontline bowler who usually opens the bowling and controls the game from one end, while other bowlers attack from the other end.
Their calm presence helps the team stay composed during difficult times.
Shikha Pandey plays domestic cricket for Goa and has also participated in women’s leagues like the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Her domestic performances keep her in contention for selection to the national team.
Shikha Pandey’s estimated net worth is around ₹6-8 Crores.
She leads a very simple and disciplined life, focusing more on fitness and personal growth rather than material comforts.
Shikha Pandey is well known for:
She often talks about the importance of education and mental strength in sports.
Like all other athletes, he also suffered injuries and had to compete to secure his place in the team. However, his comeback and performance after being selected are a testament to his mental strength and professionalism.
She is a very disciplined, well-educated, and goal-oriented person, just as a modern athlete should be. She truly motivates teenagers by showing them that sports and academics can go hand in hand.
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Shikha Pandey may not be a household name, but her contribution to Indian women’s cricket is significant. A disciplined bowler with a calm demeanor and strong resolve, she is one of India’s most reliable fast bowlers. Her journey from studying engineering and undergoing Air Force training to playing international cricket is truly inspiring. As long as she continues to play, she will remain an example of consistency and dedication in women’s cricket.
Shikha Pandey retired from the Indian Air Force because she wanted to dedicate herself completely to cricket.
After Dilip Sardesai, Pandey is the first player from Goa to have played for any Indian national team. She is also the first cricketer associated with the Goa Cricket Association to have played international cricket for India.
He made his international cricket debut in 2014, where he participated in all three formats.
By 2025, she will be 36 years old.
His net worth is approximately 6-8 crore rupees.
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