Jyoti Pandey, the right handed wicketkeeper batsman who was born in Biratnagar is currently representing Nepal Womens Cricket Team in the ongoing Asian Qualifiers 2016 held at Hong Kong. Jyoti who used to play from Biratnagar Senior National Team had shifted to Armed Police Force (APF) in 2012 after her consistent performance in domestic cricket. She came to limelight when she hit a brilliant century from APF against Kathmandu i.e Region Number 3 in the semifinals and made it to the finals single handedly. Jyoti was also awarded Emerging Player of the Tournament in 2013. Jyoti after her consistent performance in the matches that was for selection to the Asian Qualifier made it to the top 38 member for the Closed Camp and then she made it to the top 18 members. Finally, Jyoti was selected in the top 14 members and had taken the place of Mamta Thapa for the wicketkeeping position. Jyoti made her debut against Hong Kong Womens Team on October 9th, 2016 at Mong Kok in Mission Road Ground Stadium.
Letzcricket had a conversation to the young and talented Jyoti Pandey, here are some of the questions which are answered by Jyoti Pandey:
Q. What made you think you can play cricket and since when?
A. I used to watch cricket, as I am from cricket background. My dad told me, “there are few girls who are playing” then I thought of playing cricket. It was 2009 when I started playing cricket.
Q. How much hard work you did to be in the Nepal Cricket Team?
A. I worked hard for 8 years to be in the Nepal Cricket Team. I used to do training in off seasons too. Although I performed well in domestic games but I have to work hard to prove myself and to reach here.
Q. Which one you feel is tough, batting at the domestic level or to open from Nepal team?
A. I had opened in many innings in domestic level so I was mentally prepared to open from Nepal Team too. Yeah, I feel little bit nervous but was not that tough. Actually it is in the mind, “making it tough or to play your natural game without feeling pressure.”
Q. Recently EPL was held, don’t you think womens cricket also need to be looked and structured at domestic level?
A. Yes, womens cricket need to be looked and structured at domestic levels. Tournaments at school and colleges level should be held frequently so that girls can expose their talents and improve their standards.
Q. How you manage your time to practice your wicketkeeping along with your batting?
A. I give equal time to wicketkeeping as well as batting during my training. And also, I believe that if you have passion for something then you automatically can manage.
Q. Apart from cricket what are your hobbies?
A. Yeah, I love to travel and to do shoppings (smiles).
Q. What are your ambitions?
A. I am just focused to be qualified for World Cup and right now this is my ambition.
Q. What you like most about cricket? Who is your favourite Nepali Cricketer?
A. I simply love this game and I love the passion and craze of people towards this game. Paras khadka is my fav.
Q. What is the first thing you do, when you heard that you are representing Nepal?
A. I called my Dad (smiles).
Q. Any thing you would like to say to the Nepali Cricket Followers?
A. Always keep supporting us. Your support helps us to build our confidence. And Happy Dashain to all the Nepalese around the world. Stay blessed and maintain peace.
Thank you Jyoti Pandey for your precious time to Letzcricket.com !! Best of Luck