New Delhi, September 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
At 37, Shikha Pandey continues to run in, bowl fast and take on challenging assignments across women’s franchise cricket, and she credits a disciplined recovery routine and growing understanding of her body for sustaining her career.
Speaking to IANS in a select virtual interaction organised by FanCode, the official broadcaster of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) in India, Pandey revealed that she travels with her own recovery equipment and places considerable emphasis on mobility, stretching and recovery.
“Okay. I’ll be a science geek now! I have my own compression boots that I travel with and spend a lot of time on mobility and stretches,” she said. “Medium pacers literally thrive on ice baths and are alive because of ice baths.”
Pandey, who has picked five wickets in the 2026 WCPL, also credited the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) support staff for ensuring that players have access to proper recovery facilities, including ice baths, massages and other protocols.
Her approach has become particularly important as she continues playing international franchise cricket despite last representing India at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by ageing fast bowlers, Pandey said experience and a deeper understanding of one’s body can compensate for some of the difficulties that come with age.
“The skill isn’t going to go anywhere. It’s just about keeping fit,” she said, adding that she intends to continue playing as long as she keeps scoring runs and taking wickets.
Pandey also believes managing stress is an important part of longevity. With TKR’s physiotherapist TJ and trainer and massage therapist Jamie looking after the players, she said the overall environment has helped her maintain her fitness.
Her preparation extends beyond recovery. As a medium pacer operating on the slower Caribbean surfaces, Pandey studies conditions before arriving and works on deliveries that are less dependent on the pitch.
“I like to go ahead and do a little bit of research on that part or to see a little vision videos to prepare and to get ready for the tournament,” she said, adding that she focuses on slower balls, yorkers and other variations suited to the conditions.
A retired Squadron Leader of the Indian Air Force, Pandey has also embraced the mental challenges of playing franchise cricket around the world. Her experience includes the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia, the Super Smash in New Zealand and the WCPL.
She said difficult situations create a “memory bank” that helps players deal with similar high-pressure moments in the future.
“I really love being challenged,” Pandey said, explaining that bowling during difficult phases of matches has helped her build confidence and experience.
Her analytical approach also led her to take up a commentary assignment for JioStar during the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. She said she had been approached for the role for around three years and decided to experience the environment during the off-season while continuing to focus on her playing career.
Pandey has also been impressed by the young Caribbean seamers in the TKR set-up, particularly Jannillea Glasgow and Jahzara Claxton.
“Both of them being lefty and right-arm medium pacers – it’s gold dust,” she said, while adding that she does not believe teams should select their bowling attacks solely according to conditions.
“If your main bowlers are pacers, they’ll probably be able to bowl anywhere,” she said.
The growing presence of Indian players in the WCPL has also pleased Pandey. While she and Jemimah Rodrigues were the only Indian players with TKR during her first season, Yastika Bhatia is now part of the franchise. Pooja Vastrakar, Harleen Deol and Kiran Navgire are representing Barbados Tridents.
Pandey said the increased participation gives Indian players another avenue to gain competitive experience outside domestic cricket and potentially put themselves in contention for comebacks.
Asked how she would like to be remembered, Pandey chose a quality beyond statistics.
“I guess I would have said to be remembered as a good teammate, not a good athlete,” she said, describing herself as someone who had to rely on hard work rather than natural talent.
She added that inspiring even one young girl to take up cricket after watching her play would be a major achievement.
“Just to be able to inspire someone new to take up the sport would be a really huge achievement for me,” Pandey said.
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