'Wanted to return to DC' - Shikha Pandey after bagging INR 2.4 crore deal with UPW in WPL mega auction
Shikha played for the Capitals in the first three installments of the WPL before not being retained ahead of the mega auction.
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Indian bowling all-rounder Shikha Pandey has disclosed that she was hoping to make a comeback to the Delhi Capitals setup at the mega auction for the 2026 Women's Premier League. Shikha played for the Capitals in the first three installments of the WPL before being released ahead of the mega auction.
Shikha, who was roped in by UP Warriorz for INR 2.4 crore, shared that she relished being a part of the dressing room at the Capitals. The 36-year-old also conceded that she was tense on the day of the auction.
"I was anxious the whole day before, and I'm someone who stays in the moment, so I just told myself, whatever happens, happens. I had a very good team in the Delhi Capitals. I really thoroughly enjoyed playing in that setup. And I was hoping that I would go back to them, but then, that's how the whole auction works out. It works in different ways," stated Shikha during an interaction with Sports Today.
Shikha mentioned that she was overjoyed with the aggressive bidding for her at the auction. Shikha said that she did not have much to say about the price tags women's cricketers get bid for as compared to their male counterparts.
"To be very honest, I don't look at the price tag. I wasn't following the first few rounds, but then when my name came in, I was in the other room. My mother was watching very intently, and then I kind of joined in. I was happy that there were two teams that went on and on, and that's how the price tag increased. I was happy that I was being valued, which is what a cricketer wants sometimes. About the price tag, I'm not pretty sure with women's cricket, it is slightly different than men’s cricket. The eyeballs and media attention are not at par," she added.
Shikha picked up 30 wickets in 27 WPL matches for the Capitals at a frugal economy rate of 6.96. She did not miss any game across all three editions of the marquee 20-over tournament.
Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp and Niki Prasad were the five players retained by the Delhi Capitals ahead of the mega auction.
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