Manohar Parrikar felicitates Indian cricketer Shikha Pandey

Panaji (Goa) [India], Aug.4 (ANI): Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday felicitated bowler Shikha Pandey, a member of the Indian women's cricket team who finished as the runner-ups in the recently- concluded ICC Women's World Cup, at the Assembly complex in Porvorim. The prestigious 50-over quadrennial event ended with hosts England lifting the trophy for the fourth time after defeating the Women in Blue by nine runs on July 23 at the Lord's. After the felicitation, Shikha said that their spectacular performance during the tournament had helped in creating a platform for the girls to come up and take the game of cricket professionally. "The kind of cricket we have played in the World Cup will propel other girls around the world to take the game professionally. Their parents will also support them. Prior to this, it is not used to be like that. Following the Indian women's cricket team good performance in the World Cup, a platform has been created for the girls to come up and take the cricket seriously," Shikha said. The 28-year-old further believes that women's cricket level in Goa would rise up to a higher level soon. "Although Goa is famous for football, there are many girls coming forward to play cricket. I would not say that the opportunities are less in Goa. There is a lot of support (for cricket). One thing very good about Goa is that people are very open-minded. There is no differentiation between girls and boys. I believe we will get women's cricket to a higher pedestal in Goa," she added. Shikha, who has been a regular member of the Indian women's cricket team since her debut in March 2014, played a pivotal role in the tournament to help her side reach the finals only for the second time in 12 years. She took three wickets against South Africa and two wickets against England in the league matches. In the semi final against six-time winners Australia, she took two wickets by conceding just 17 runs.She finished the tournament by chipping in with a wicket against England. (ANI)