PANJIM: Susheela Pandey, mother of Shikha Pandey (who plays for Goa), was in tears when India lost their chance of putting their hand on the trophy against England in the ICC Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s, England, on Sunday.
There was a great chance for India to bring home the cup but experience helped England in grabbing quick wickets and take the game away from Mithali Raj’s Women in Blue.
As this reporter was present at the residence of Shikha at Candelaria, Pilerne, he personally experienced the sorrow of her parents when al-lrounder Shikha was run out for four while attempting an unexisting run.
As Susheela was in tears, Subhash (Shikha’s father) said that his daughter should have not gone for the run due to lack of communication with her partner Deepti Sharma, who did not move from her crease.
“My daughter did not get much batting opportunity as she is the seventh batswomen which does not give her enough time to settle down,” Subhash said.
“Whenever Shikha performs well for Goa as an opener, the State has never lost a match. But today it was a not her day as she could not separate the England openers and also later failed with the bat,” he added.
“Had captain Mithali made use of the DRS during one of Shikha’s over early in the innings, the situation would have been different. And also if Shikha had taken a wicket in her first three overs, India’s chances would have been have improved and the trophy would have been ours,” Subhash quipped.
When asked India chances of winning before the tournament, Subhash said he had no hope of India making it to the final as the team had to qualify for the tournament.
“When we defeated England our chances of reaching the last four increased considerable. And when we overcame New Zealand in the last group game and shocked defending champions Australia in the semi-final I was convinced that India would go all the way and bring home the cup,” he said.
“However it was neither Shikha’s day nor India’s and we lost the match only by 9 runs,” he concluded.
