'The kind of shots she played were amazing' - Shikha Pandey doffs hat to belligerent Healy

Shikha Pandey was one of India’s top bowlers through the course of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, picking up seven wickets in India’s four league games. The right-arm seamer was one of the tournament’s most economical fast bowlers through the group stage conceding only 84 runs in 15.5 overs – an economy rate of 5.41.

However, come finals day on Sunday (March 8), Pandey came unstuck against a belligerent Alyssa Healy who tonked an incredible 39-ball 75 in Australia’s 85-run win. She conceded 27 runs – including three consecutive sixes – in her ten deliveries to Healy.

Instead of bemoaning her luck, the 30-year-old doffed her hat to the Australian, admitting that India were outplayed by a better opponent on the day.

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“You do have plans against a batter like her, but the kind of shots she played were amazing,” she said. “Sometimes you can just stand and acknowledge, and appreciate the shots she was playing. It was one of those days when I was on the receiving end.”

“Nerves weren't really a factor. Once you get onto the field, you just zone out. I don’t think I felt nerves.”

“Initially, if you gift chances to batters in form they’re going to use them. It could have gone either way but those chances costed us. We could have been better in all three departments; it wasn’t just the fielding."

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In her first three matches in the tournament, Pandey conceded only three boundaries, one of which came in the first match off the blade of Healy. In game three against New Zealand, Pandey held her nerve to help India to a thrilling three-run win which saw them top the group.

The Goa bowler, one of the oldest and most experienced members of the squad, played a crucial role through the tournament, guiding a young bowling group that included only two other medium pacers.

Despite the walloping they faced in the final, Pandey said that India had a lot of positives to take from the game and the tournament as a whole. She singled out the chance to meet sporting icon Billie Jean King as one of her favourite moments.

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“It’s huge to meet people like Billie Jean King in person,” she said. “I was privileged to be part of the event although it’s disappointing to be on the wrong end of the result.”

“It’s an honour to meet someone who has done so much for women’s sport in general and is working for equal opportunities. Just to meet her in person is a good thing. She said we were unlucky to have lost and to keep working hard.”