For years, Vijay Shankar remained one of Indian cricket’s most discussed yet misunderstood cricketers. From being labelled the ‘3D player’ during the 2019 World Cup to battling injuries, criticism and constant scrutiny, the Tamil Nadu all-rounder’s career rarely moved without noise around it.But as Shankar walks away from Indian domestic cricket and the IPL, there is little bitterness in his voice. Instead, there is acceptance, gratitude and quiet pride in a journey that saw him represent India, win titles with Tamil Nadu and carve out a long IPL career across multiple franchises.In an exclusive conversation with TimesofIndia.com following his retirement announcement, Shankar reflected on the emotional decision to step away, the injuries that altered his career, handling public criticism, his love for all-round cricket and why he still wants to continue playing overseas leagues.Excerpts:After announcing your retirement from IPL and domestic cricket, what was your first emotion when you posted that note?My first emotion was that it was something that had started a long time ago, and from there to suddenly realise that it’s coming to an end felt a little odd. It’s very difficult to put into words, but it definitely felt a little strange. Yes [it was emotional], but sometimes you need to take that call at some point in your career.What led you to that decision?In the last few years of the Ranji Trophy, I kept performing well and had decent seasons. But I felt that my motivation was always linked to playing at the highest level. In my entire career, I never played in the Duleep Trophy, not even once.IPL was also a motivation, but this year I wasn’t picked. I felt that playing domestic cricket and the Ranji Trophy had been my dream, and I had a pretty good Ranji season as well.Throughout my career, I played everywhere in the batting order. I batted up and down the order and in different positions, but despite all that, I still managed to put up good numbers. I always tried to contribute my best to the team.You played domestic cricket for Tamil Nadu for 13 years. How did domestic cricket shape you?Domestic cricket is very, very important as far as I’m concerned. You get to experience a lot of quality bowling and play against quality players. That’s the best place to develop talent for the Indian team.As captain, you won three trophies for Tamil Nadu the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Deodhar Trophy. Since all three were different formats, did your leadership style change across them?I just felt that I had to do my job first of all – that was the most important thing. I also had to be ready to do whatever the team needed at that particular moment, irrespective of any individual goals.As a player, I’ve always thought more about what the team needs than what I personally need. If I had focused on personal milestones, I probably could have ended my career with many more numbers. But I always wanted to do well for the team.Captaincy actually brought out the best in me. You take responsibility, put your hand up when situations are difficult, back your players, talk to them, and give them comfort and confidence. All those things were very special.
Vijay Shankar Domestic Stats
You were an all-rounder while also captaining the side. How difficult it is when you have to bat, bowl, field, and lead the team?No, it was lovely. As an all-rounder, the best part is that you’re involved in the game throughout. It’s not like you bat and then just stand somewhere while fielding. You’re constantly involved, and I always enjoyed that.With captaincy, the key was knowing when to use yourself. Sometimes you can’t overdo things, and sometimes you might under-bowl yourself or move yourself down the batting order. Understanding those situations was very important for me. It brought out the best in me.You entered the Indian team as an all-rounder. Did you face challenges early in your career, especially with someone like Hardik Pandya also being in the team? Was there any competition or difference in roles?Whoever I’ve played with, at the end of the day, whatever role I get, I have to be ready for it.Even in the Indian team, I batted in different positions. I had to bowl whenever it was needed, and when the team required me to deliver, I had to do it. I was always preparing myself for that. It’s not like I bowled every game.Do you ever wonder how different your career might have been without the injuries you suffered, especially during that phase?I had quite a few injuries, especially when I was younger. From the age of 25 to about 31 or 32, I had a lot of injuries.I’ve thought about it, but eventually it’s very difficult to change those things. I feel everything is part of a journey, and you learn a lot from every moment in your career.I don’t have any regrets. I’m actually very proud of the way I played my cricket.This game has taught me everything. It taught me how to lead my life. I’m always grateful for that.
Vijay Shankar International Stats
You played for four IPL franchises – DC, SRH, CSK, and GT. You also played under different captains. Which team gave you the best environment and allowed you to play your most natural cricket?That’s a very difficult question to answer because every phase of my career was different, and every team was different as well.You won two IPL titles with Sunrisers Hyderabad and one with Gujarat Titans. Was any experience more special than the others?It’s very difficult to pick one as the best. Eventually, I learned a lot from all these franchises.Even there, my batting position kept changing. But I was able to find ways to do well. I found ways to score runs in different batting positions.If you look at the numbers, my IPL average might be around 25 or 26 with a strike rate around 130. But what people don’t always realise is how many different batting positions I played throughout my career.Even in my last season with CSK, I played five matches and batted at No. 4, 5, 6, and 7. In five games, I batted in four different positions.The same happened with Gujarat as well. Whatever the condition or situation, my job was to walk in and do the best I possibly could.Is there a favourite moment from your IPL career that stands out when you look back?Definitely lifting the trophy. That’s very, very special. With Gujarat and also with Sunrisers Hyderabad.Even though I didn’t play a single game for SRH initially, I remember fielding as a substitute in around 13 or 14 of the 17 matches. I went in as a substitute fielder and tried to make a difference through catches and fielding efforts.I feel that helped me get my opportunity much earlier and eventually helped me make my debut for SRH.
Vijay Shakar IPL Stats
You were labelled a ‘3D player’ when you were drafted in for the 2019 World Cup. Now that you’ve retired and reflected on your career, does that tag still follow you today?It’s a very small world, so it will definitely follow me.Whether it’s in a good way or a bad way, I don’t really know. Initially, I used to tell myself that I should avoid social media and learn to ignore certain things.But what I’ve learned now is that you have to learn to live with it. That’s just how things are.People have a lot of opinions these days. They can say whatever they want.At the end of the day, as cricketers, we’re playing for 10 to 15 years. That’s a long career. You need to keep fighting. Whatever happens, you wake up the next day, train hard, and get ready for the next phase.That’s the only thing you can do. Whatever happens in between, you just have to move past it.Looking at Indian cricket today, teams are always searching for all-rounders. But with the Impact Player rule in the IPL, specialist batters and bowlers are often preferred. Do you think the demand for all-rounders has reduced because of this rule?No, I still feel that you can look at it in two ways.One way is to say that because of the Impact Player rule, your role has reduced. But on the other hand, if you want to play for your country and be the best, you need to find a way to become the best batter and the best bowler possible.That’s how you should look at it.The IPL is a great platform. If you do well, you get noticed and can move to the next level. One or two good games can give you a lot of confidence.But then you go back to domestic cricket and continue grinding. You keep training with both bat and ball and keep developing yourself.I would just say that you can keep giving excuses, or you can focus on becoming the best in both batting and bowling.What is your take on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi? He’s only 15 years old and already making headlines everywhere.He’s unbelievable, actually. The way he’s batting is phenomenal and very inspiring because he proves that age is just a number.Especially in India, people often feel that once you’re 30, 31, or 32, you’re nearing the end of your career. In other countries, players are often considered more valuable because of their experience at that age.India has so much talent, which makes competition very tough.Someone like him is really inspiring because it’s not as if he’s just playing one good innings here and there. In four or five out of ten games, he’s consistently performing, which is unbelievable for someone his age.And he’s doing it against the best bowlers.If he can hit bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and others for sixes from the very first ball, then you have to give him credit.I wish him all the very best because he’s batting beautifully. I just hope he continues this.In your retirement note, you mentioned wanting to pursue new opportunities and continue playing cricket. What exactly does that mean?If I get opportunities to play leagues overseas, I’d like to explore them.I think that would be a great opportunity because I’m still playing a lot of good cricket in Chennai, and I also had a good domestic season last year.If I can explore new experiences, it will be great for me because, at the end of the day, it’s all about becoming a better cricketer.You learn and look to improve every day.Even after I eventually stop playing cricket completely, whether it’s coaching or something else, I will still need to keep learning and improving.That’s a never-ending process, and I’ll continue doing that.Would you consider coaching, commentary, mentoring, or even franchise management in the future?Definitely. I love coaching, so a few years down the line, I would definitely like to get into coaching.One message for your fans?To my fans, thank you so much for always being there.I wrote in my retirement note that I faced a lot of hate and criticism throughout my career. But I also had a lot of wonderful fans who supported me throughout.So thank you so much for that.And I’ll keep playing cricket. I love playing cricket. This is my life, so I’ll keep playing cricket.
