Change is inevitable in the cricket world, and fast bowler Shikha Pandey of India recently provided insight into how the sport is changing. Shikha Pandey discussed the good changes she saw in women’s cricket during a conversation with Vipul Phadke, President of the Goa Cricket Association, and former Goa captain Swapnil Asnodkar. Shikha Pandey emphasized the vital significance that age-group contests and leagues like the Women’s Premier League (WPL) play. The pacer claims that these programs have given young female cricket players new opportunities.
“We have Under-15 events for girls, but I only played Under-19 cricket for a year. Next is Under-23, which the BCCI recently instituted. Prior to this, not every lady would advance to the senior squad from the Under-19 ranks. Occasionally, the entire batch might be exhausted. They are still participating now because of the Under-23 competition,” she stated, as reported by Sportstar.
In her reflections on her early cricket career, Shikha Pandey highlighted the difficulties faced by aspiring female players.
“When I started playing cricket, I had so many more friends who were really good, but they could not continue playing because they couldn’t persuade their parents,” she said.
Shikha claims that things are currently evolving. The advent of leagues such as the Women’s Premier League has introduced women’s cricket into living rooms throughout the nation.
But now that the WPL and a plethora of other competitions are taking place, a five-year-old can see a female cricket player on television, which expands their dreams. At the Sportstar Sports Conclave Goa in Panjim on Friday, she stated, “The parents can also support their dreams,” Pandey pointed out.
The players lack the proper mindset: Phadke
Phadke, the president of the Goa Cricket Association, talked about the difficulties Goa has had in winning the Ranji Trophy and the necessity of adopting a new strategy.
“The guys lack the proper mindset. Many players these days lack hunger. GCA has not been able to develop young talent from the ground up. He stated, “We have to work at the Under-14 and Under-16 levels,” highlighting the significance of developing talent early in life.
Asnodkar discussed the waning hunger among Goan cricket players and emphasised the need for players to take the initiative in their own growth, based on his personal experience.
“Players should not just rely on the association to supply the facilities; they should give it their all. There wasn’t much exposure or facility while we played, but the yearning was still present. “Hunger is perishing,” he declared.
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