Vijay Shankar, the all-rounder from Tamil Nadu, is regarded as a late bloomer, despite consistently performing for Tamil Nadu in many formats of the game. His ability to bat in the middle order and bowl a few overs of decent medium speed earned him a call-up to the Indian team for the 2019 ODI World Cup in England. He didn’t quite deliver a spectacular performance in the opportunities he was given. He quickly went off the selectors’ radar as a result of his below-par performances, and he had to return to domestic cricket and grind out all the runs to get back in shape and make a comeback into the Indian side.
Vijay Shankar comes from a cricketing family, with both his father and brother having played lower-division cricket for Tamil Nadu. His hopes of making a comeback into the Indian team were dashed by a string of injuries that kept him out of action for an extended period of time. Vijay Shankar was then purchased for INR 1.4 crores by one of the new franchise Gujarat Titans in the 2022 mega auctions. However, he did not live up to his full potential with the Titans in 2022. He returned to domestic cricket, making a lot of runs for Tamil Nadu and regaining his confidence.
Shankar’s Impact: Consistency and Excellence in Every Match
He started the current season on a much better note than the previous one, looking much more confident about his game. In the circumstances of the game, chasing a total of about 180 in the first game of the season against CSK, he chipped in with a useful knock of 27 at a strike rate of 128.5. He added to his strong start to the season by making another key contribution with the bat against the Delhi Capitals.
One of his best IPL innings came against the Kolkata Knight Riders when he scorched his way to 63 runs at a strike rate of 262.5 to help the Titans pass the 200-run mark. It was a losing cause thanks to Rinku Singh’s heroic run chase in the final over. He went on to score two more fifties in a winning cause, one of which came against the Knight Riders in a rematch in Kolkata. He has scored just over 300 runs with a strike rate of 160.1, averaging just under 40 in 10 innings this season.
Shankar’s Batting Marvel: Dominating at Every Position
Throughout the IPL 2023 season, Vijay Shankar, the dynamic all-rounder from Tamil Nadu, has showcased his versatility by batting at various positions based on the team’s requirements. Whether sent in to bat early on or held back for a late onslaught, Shankar has consistently delivered exceptional performances. Under the astute leadership of Gujarat Titans’ skipper Hardik Pandya, Shankar has often been utilized as an impact player, and he has risen to the occasion with remarkable poise.
While his contributions have been noteworthy across different positions, Shankar has expressed a preference for batting at number 4 or number 5, where he truly shines. At these crucial spots, he has amassed a staggering 105 runs at a scintillating strike rate of 166.7, ranking fourth in the tournament. Such consistent and explosive performances have bolstered his team’s chances and earned him well-deserved accolades from fans and experts alike.
Conclusion
Vijay Shankar is repaying the Gujarat Titans management’s faith in him this season, thanks to his performances for Tamil Nadu at the local level. He’s had a solid season in which he’s saved the Titans from several tight circumstances. As the season unfolds, Shankar’s versatility and consistency serve as a testament to his stature as one of Tamil Nadu’s finest all-rounders and a force to be reckoned with in the world of cricket.
