Panaji
Shikha Pandey, the Goan all-rounder who was a key member of the Indian women's cricket team that finished runner-up at the ICC Women's World Cup in England, feels the team's groundbreaking campaign in the global event has been a big learning curve for her and her
team-mates.
The India new-ball bowler arrived in the State Friday afternoon and received a warm homecoming at the Dabolim airport. She was received by her parents -- Sushila and Subas Pandey, Goa Cricket Association officials, family, friends, fans and
well-wishers.
Shikha believes India's performance in the ICC's marquee event for women will "inspire young girls to take up cricket as profession". The Pilerne-based player said that the heart-breaking loss in the final "will teach her an important lesson which will help her to see her team through in a similar situation
next time".
Shikha had a fairly successful campaign in the women's showpiece event with her medium pace though she briefly lost her place during India's campaign to another seamer, Mansi Joshi. Though she had not much of an opportunity with the bat for most part of the marquee event, she failed to make it count in the final against England on July 23 when she was involved in a dreaded mix-up with all-rounder Deepti Sharma that led to her run out for four and with that let the Women in Blue's last hope
flicker away.
Earlier in the title clash, she had a bad day with the ball where she went for 53 runs from seven overs without picking a wicket. She snapped up eight wickets in the tournament from her seven matches. Her most impressive readings were 3/40 against South Africa at Leicester in her comeback match after not featuring in the previous two engagements against Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively.
