Squadron Leader Shikha Subas Pandey born 12 May 1989 is an Indian cricketer and former officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF). As a right-arm medium pacer and middle-order batter, she has represented the national cricket team and previously served as an air traffic control officer in the IAF.
Shikha Pandey Biography 2025
Pandey made her international Twenty20 (T20I) debut on 9 March 2014 against Bangladesh at Cox’s Bazar cricket stadium. Later that year, she also debuted in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Test matches against England at Wormsley and Scarborough, respectively.
Shikha Pandey Biography Details
| Full name |
Shikha Subas Pandey
|
| Born |
12 May 1989 (age 35)
Ramagundam, Andhra Pradesh, India (present-day Telangana, India) |
| Nickname |
Shikhipedia |
| Batting |
Right-handed |
| Bowling |
Right-arm medium |
| Role |
All-rounder |
Shikha Pandey Early Life
Pandey completed her schooling under the Central Board of Secondary Education in India. At just 15 years old, she became the first player affiliated with her state board to represent India. Shortly after this milestone, former Mumbai player and selector Surekha Bhandare observed her play and recognized her potential as a future Indian player, noting the undeniable raw talent she possessed. During her class-ten board exams, Pandey achieved the third rank statewide, which prompted her to prioritize her studies and temporarily set aside her cricket aspirations for three years. It wasn’t until her second undergraduate year in Electronics and Electrical Engineering that she began to seriously pursue the sport again.
Balancing academics with cricket was always important to Pandey. She would start her mornings with gym sessions and academic work, followed by a 12 km journey to Mapusa for training under Nitin Vernekar, a former Goa cricketer and coach at the Sports Authority of Goa. This period was crucial for her development as a cricketer, as she was the only girl training alongside U-16 and U-19 boys, which significantly sharpened her reaction time against pace bowling.
Despite her commitment to cricket, Pandey maintained strong academic performance, crediting her lecturer in Applied Mathematics, Ujwala Phadte, for her support during this time, ensuring that her grades remained high alongside her athletic pursuits. After earning her engineering degree from Goa College of Engineering in 2010, she received placement offers from three multinational companies but chose to decline them to dedicate a year to her cricket career. In July 2011, she joined the Indian Air Force, and in June 2012, she was commissioned as an air traffic controller. By the time of the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, she held the rank of Squadron Leader.
Shikha Pandey Bio
| Attribute |
Description |
| Date of Birth |
12 May 1989 |
| Age (as of 2023) |
34 Years |
| Birthplace |
Goa, India |
| Zodiac Sign |
Taurus |
| Nationality |
Indian |
| Hometown |
Goa, India |
Physical Stats
| Attribute |
Measurement |
| Height |
168 cm (5′ 6″) |
| Weight |
60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Eye Colour |
Black |
| Hair Colour |
Black |
| Figure Measurements |
34-28-34 |
Cricketing Career
| Format |
Debut Date |
Opponent |
| Test |
13 August 2014 |
England Women |
| ODI |
21 August 2014 |
England Women |
| T20 |
9 March 2014 |
Bangladesh Women |
Domestic Teams
| Team |
Role |
| Goa Women |
Player |
| India Green Women |
Player |
Bowling and Batting Style
| Style |
Type |
| Bowling Style |
Right-arm fast-medium |
| Batting Style |
Right-hand bat |
Records and Achievements
| Record |
Description |
| Milestone |
First Indian woman to score a half-century and take three wickets in the same match against South Africa (2014) |
Educational Background
| Attribute |
Details |
| College/University |
Goa Engineering College |
| Educational Qualification |
B. Tech. in Electronics |
Family Background
| Family Member |
Relation |
| Father |
Subas Pandey (Teacher) |
| Mother |
Name Not Known |
Favourites
| Category |
Favourite |
| Cricketer |
Shaun Pollock |
Marital Status
| Status |
Description |
| Marital Status |
Unmarried |
| Affairs/Boyfriends |
Not Known |
Current Role
| Role |
Description |
| Position |
All-rounder |
Key Attributes
| Attribute |
Description |
| Leadership |
Represents India in international cricket |
Goals of Shikha Pandey
| Goal |
Description |
| Aspiration |
To inspire young women in sports |
Training Regimen
| Aspect |
Details |
| Training Schedule |
Morning gym sessions and afternoon practice |
Community Involvement
| Activity |
Description |
| Advocacy |
Promotes women’s cricket |
Future Aspirations
| Aspiration |
Description |
| Career Goals |
To achieve more milestones in international cricket |
Shikha Pandey Net Worth
Her estimated net worth is INR 14 crores.
Shikha Pandey Summary
Shikha Pandey stands out as a significant figure in Indian women’s cricket, blending her athletic prowess with academic accomplishments. Her journey from Goa to the international cricket stage exemplifies dedication and resilience, making her a role model for aspiring athletes.
