The acquisition of Indian cricketer Shikha Pandey in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 mega auction surprised everyone. The experienced fast bowler was acquired by UP Warriorz for six times her base price of INR 40 lakh, amounting to INR 2.40 crore.
Sports News: A significant upset was witnessed in the Women's Premier League mega auction. Indian veteran fast bowler Shikha Pandey was bought by UP Warriorz for a substantial price of INR 2.40 crore. Shikha Pandey, 36, who has been out of the Indian team since 2023, has become one of the most expensive Indian players in the auction with this price. This amount is approximately 6 times her base price of INR 40 lakh.
Shikha Pandey: Experienced Fast Bowler and Team Strategy
The 36-year-old Shikha Pandey has been a reliable fast bowler for the Indian team for a long time. She has played 62 T20 International matches for India, taking 43 wickets with an economy rate of 6.49. In 2017, Shikha reached the final of the ODI World Cup with the Indian team, which symbolizes her experience and capability.
Furthermore, Shikha is also a Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force. This demonstrates her discipline and mental fortitude. Due to her experience, deep understanding of the game, and leadership skills, team franchises affectionately call her 'Shikipedia'.
Intense Bidding and Strategic Battle Among Teams
There was intense bidding for Shikha Pandey between UP Warriorz and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). This fierce competition drove her price up to INR 2.40 crore. Experts believe this was not solely due to her experience and skill, but also because of team strategies and her ability to play a decisive role in matches.
Shikha Pandey's bowling possesses qualities like control and swing, which are highly sought after for fast bowlers. In the previous WPL season, she played 27 matches and took 30 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 6.96. This performance clearly indicates that franchises see her as a game-changer in any match.
By acquiring Shikha Pandey, UP Warriorz aims to provide experienced leadership and stability to their bowling lineup. Team management believes that Shikha can deliver decisive performances in any match crisis. The investment of INR 2.40 crore is an indication of this strategy, which is expected to be beneficial for the team in the long term.
