New Delhi: Vijay Shankar, the right-handed batter who was part of India’s 2019 World Cup squad, has taken a bold step in his domestic cricket career, shifting base from Tamil Nadu to Tripura in search of more opportunities to play. The 2019 World Cup, hosted by England, was memorable for its thrilling encounters, culminating in a dramatic final at Lord’s where England clinched the title over New Zealand on boundary count. While Team India fell short in the semi-final against the Kiwis, Shankar had briefly made headlines for replacing Ambati Rayudu in the squad.
Despite the World Cup stint, Shankar struggled to cement his place in Indian cricket, facing inconsistent selections and limited opportunities in the Tamil Nadu setup. Frustrated with the lack of clarity from the selectors, he decided to seek a fresh start in Tripura. “Sometimes, when you're forced to take that call, you need to move on and look out for opportunities. I think I've been playing well. And more importantly, I want to play cricket, that's it. I can't go out there and just sit out and give water. It's quite difficult after playing for so many years,” Shankar told The Hindu.
The batter recounted his difficult past seasons: “Last year, I got dropped for the first two Ranji games, and then I made a comeback. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, again, I was dropped for the last two games. So, after that, it was quite tough. You need some clarity at some point. I was not getting that clarity.” Shankar added that he never felt secure under the Tamil Nadu selectors, prompting his decision to leave. “Even if you take the last three years, I think only in 2022 I batted at one batting position, No. 6 every game, and I got three consecutive hundreds. But after that, from No. 3 to No. 7, I batted everywhere,” he said, highlighting the inconsistency in his role.
By moving to Tripura, Shankar hopes to revive his career and regain the rhythm of regular match play, signaling his determination to stay relevant and competitive in domestic cricket. The former India all-rounder’s candid remarks reflect the challenges faced by many players navigating state team politics, underscoring the importance of clarity, opportunity, and the sheer love of the game.