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.
WhatsApp Channel Join Button
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.