Shikha Pandey cries on camera on omission from T20I and ODI squads for Bangladesh series

In an interview with former Indian head coach WV Raman, star cricketer Shikha Pandey broke down when discussing her exclusion from the Indian squads for the upcoming Bangladesh tour.

Pandey's absence came as a surprise to many, considering the team's busy schedule in the coming months. As one of the more experienced players in the Indian setup, she also emerged as their leading wicket-taker and played a crucial role in guiding the team to the top of the table and reaching the finals.

This is not the first time Pandey has been left out of the Indian side without any official explanation. She made a comeback to the national team for the T20 World Cup earlier this year in South Africa but was subsequently excluded from the central contract. Now, she finds herself overlooked for the upcoming ODIs and T20Is against Bangladesh.

During her interview with Sportstar and WV Raman, Pandey expressed her struggle, the 34-year-old said, "If I say I’m not frustrated and angry, then I’m not a human being. It’s difficult when you don’t get the results for the work that you have put in." Pandey acknowledged that there might be reasons for her omission that she is unaware of, but she remains a firm believer in the power of hard work. Determined to make a comeback, she emphasized the importance of staying mentally and physically fit while continuing to put in the effort.

With 120 international appearances across formats, Pandey has an impressive record, particularly in white-ball cricket as a talented bowler and a handy batter down the order. Her exclusion from the 2022 World Cup had also drawn substantial criticism, although she did feature in the T20 World Cup squad earlier this year.

Pandey expressed her gratitude for having supportive mentors during challenging periods of her career and specifically thanked WV Raman for his guidance. She revealed that she had contemplated walking away from cricket when she was dropped but was advised to give herself more time to recover from the emotional setback.

Although disappointed at present, Pandey acknowledged that the situation is beyond her control and that the decisions she makes to overcome it are entirely in her hands.