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Veteran India Pacer Shikha Pandey Quits Goa Cricket After Nearly 2 Decades: Reports
Follow UsShikha, who has played for Goa since 2006, could move to Baroda next season
India pacer Shikha Pandey has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) to opt to play for another state for the 2025-26 season. Shikha has been associated with Goa since 2006 and is the first cricketer from the state to play for India.
“Shikha sought an NOC to play outside Goa and we have given her permission,” GCA secretary Shamba Desai confirmed to TOI on August 8 (Friday).
“It was her decision [to move] and we did not object.”
The seasoned campaigner is believed to be in talks with Baroda and could turn up for them in the next season. The 36-year-old represented Goa in the domestic T20 tournament last season, but was left out of the 50-over tournament, along with six other prominent players like Shreya Parab, Vinavi Gurav, Sunanda Yetrekar, Tanaya Naik, Divya Naik and Metali Gawandar.
“We have to move on,” said Desai when asked whether Goa will miss out on Shikha’s vast experience.
Shikha has played all three formats for India since making her debut in 2014. She last played for India in the 2023 T20 World Cup 2023.
She has over 120 international wickets and is no mug with the bat as well, having smashed a couple of fifties in ODIs. She has also picked up 30 wickets in the Women's Premier League (WPL) for Delhi Capitals (DC), proving to be instrumental in the team making it to the final in all three seasons so far.