Shikha makes a surprise return

Veteran pacer Shikha Pandey on Wednesday made a surprise return to India’s 15-member squad for the Women’s 2023 T20 World Cup in South Africa. The ICC event will be played from February 10 to 26. Shikha last played for India in October 2021 before being controversially dropped from the team. Her inclusion also shows the lack of depth in the pace bowling department.

The 33-year-old, whose strength is to swing the ball, has featured in three Tests, 55 ODIs and 56 T20s. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side with Smriti Mandhana being her deputy. Jemimah Rodrigues has managed to retain her place in the team despite low returns in India’s 1-4 series loss to Australia.
Left-arm pacer Anjali Sarvani is also part of the team following her debut series against Australia. The other pace bowling options include Renuka Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar, whose inclusion in the squad is subject to fitness.