Vijay Shankar, a name that has been both celebrated and scrutinized in Indian cricket, has announced his retirement from Indian domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Tamil Nadu all-rounder, who was often labeled the ‘3D player’ during the 2019 World Cup, has had a career marked by injuries, criticism, and constant scrutiny. However, in an exclusive conversation with TimesofIndia.com, Shankar expressed acceptance, gratitude, and quiet pride in his journey, which included representing India, winning titles with Tamil Nadu, and a long IPL career across multiple franchises.
Emotional Decision to Step Away
Shankar described his first emotion after posting his retirement note as a mix of strangeness and emotion. He explained that the decision had been brewing for a while, and realizing it was finally coming to an end felt odd. Despite the difficulty, he felt it was time to take that call.
Reasons Behind Retirement
Shankar cited his motivation to play at the highest level as a key factor. Despite performing well in the Ranji Trophy in recent years, he noted that he never played in the Duleep Trophy, which was a dream. Additionally, after not being picked in the IPL this year, he felt it was time to move on. He emphasized his versatility, having batted in various positions throughout his career, and expressed pride in his contributions to the teams he played for.
Domestic Cricket and Captaincy
Shankar played domestic cricket for Tamil Nadu for 13 years, a period he believes shaped him as a player. He highlighted the importance of domestic cricket in developing talent for the Indian team. As captain, he led Tamil Nadu to three trophies: the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Deodhar Trophy. Shankar noted that his leadership style focused on doing his job first and being ready to contribute to the team’s needs, which brought out the best in him.
All-Rounder Role and Captaincy
Shankar relished the all-rounder role, which kept him involved in the game throughout. With captaincy, he emphasized the importance of knowing when to use himself, whether with bat or ball. He acknowledged the challenges of balancing multiple responsibilities but felt it brought out his best.
Challenges in the Indian Team
Shankar entered the Indian team as an all-rounder and faced challenges, including competition with Hardik Pandya. However, he maintained that he was always ready for whatever role the team required, batting in different positions and bowling when needed. He did not view it as a competition but as a responsibility.
Impact of Injuries
Shankar suffered several injuries between the ages of 25 and 32, which he admitted altered his career trajectory. However, he chose not to dwell on regrets, viewing every moment as part of his journey. He expressed pride in the way he played his cricket and gratitude for the lessons the game taught him.
IPL Career
Shankar played for four IPL franchises: Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Titans. He found it difficult to pick a favorite team, as each phase of his career was unique. He won two IPL titles with Sunrisers Hyderabad and one with Gujarat Titans. Despite his batting position constantly changing, he managed to perform well, averaging around 25-26 with a strike rate of 130. His favorite moment was lifting the trophy, as well as his contributions as a substitute fielder early in his SRH career.
The '3D Player' Tag
The ‘3D player’ tag from the 2019 World Cup has followed Shankar throughout his career. He acknowledged that it will likely continue to follow him, but he has learned to live with it. He emphasized the importance of moving past criticism and focusing on training and preparation for the next phase.
Impact Player Rule and All-Rounders
Regarding the Impact Player rule in the IPL, Shankar believes it can be viewed in two ways: either reducing the role of all-rounders or challenging them to become the best batter and bowler possible. He advised aspiring all-rounders to focus on developing their skills rather than making excuses.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Shankar praised 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling his batting phenomenal and inspiring. He noted that Sooryavanshi’s consistent performances against top bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood are remarkable for someone his age, and he wished him the best.
Future Plans
Shankar intends to continue playing cricket in overseas leagues, describing it as a great opportunity to gain new experiences and become a better cricketer. He also expressed interest in coaching, commentary, or franchise management in the future. He loves coaching and plans to pursue it a few years down the line.
Message to Fans
Shankar thanked his fans for their unwavering support throughout his career, acknowledging both the hate and criticism he faced. He reaffirmed his love for the game and his commitment to keep playing cricket.
