Vijay Shankar's 13-Year Journey: From Tamil Nadu to IPL Glory

Vijay Shankar, the 35-year-old all-rounder, has officially announced his retirement from domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). A career that began when he first started playing at age 10 has culminated in a professional journey spanning 25 years of involvement with the sport. Shankar, who views cricket as his life, is stepping away from the Indian circuit to pursue new opportunities and play more cricket in franchise leagues in other parts of the world.

A Foundation in Domestic Cricket

Shankar's professional ascent began in 2012 when he debuted for Tamil Nadu. Over the course of 13 years, he became a cornerstone of the Tamil Nadu side before transitioning to Tripura for the 2025-26 season. His domestic record reflects a consistent contributor across all formats of the game.

In first-class cricket, Shankar featured in 77 matches, accumulating 4,253 runs with an average of 46.73, including 13 hundreds and 23 fifties. He also contributed with the ball, claiming 43 wickets. His versatility extended to List A fixtures, where he played 112 games, scoring 2,790 runs at an average of 34.87, with 2 centuries, 15 fifties, and 73 wickets. In the T20 arena, he appeared in 159 matches, maintaining consistent contributions with both bat and ball, scoring 2,583 runs and taking 38 wickets.

The IPL Odyssey: From CSK to the Titans

The Indian Premier League served as a high-profile stage for Shankar's skills. His journey began in 2013 with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Over the years, he became a sought-after all-rounder, playing for several prominent franchises including Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) from 2017 to 2021, the Delhi Capitals in 2018, and the Gujarat Titans from 2022 to 2024.

One of the highlights of his IPL tenure was being part of the Gujarat Titans during their title-winning season in 2022, although he played only four games in that campaign. His most productive individual season came in 2023, where he amassed 301 runs at a strike rate of over 160. Shankar eventually earned a homecoming to the Chennai Super Kings in 2025, though the season was described as underwhelming.

Representing the Nation: The International Peak

The pinnacle of Shankar's career was his selection for the Indian national team. He represented India in 12 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 9 T20 Internationals between 2018 and 2019. His ability to act as a No. 4 batter who could provide medium pace and swing in English conditions led to his selection for the 2019 ODI World Cup.

During the 2019 World Cup, Shankar experienced the thrill of a first-ball first wicket. While he played against the West Indies in Manchester, a toe injury unfortunately cut his tournament short. Reflecting on his international tenure, Shankar noted that bowling the last over at India's 500th ODI at Nagpur and his World Cup success are moments he will hold onto forever. He described representing the country as his "highest badge of honour."

Overcoming Adversity and Looking Forward

Despite the accolades, Shankar's journey was not without challenges. He candidly addressed the "unreal hate and negativity" he faced during his career, stating that he chose to ignore these distractions and move forward. He encouraged others by stating, "If I can do that—anyone can! Think positive and work hard."

As he closes this chapter, Shankar expressed deep gratitude toward the BCCI, the Indian Cricket Team, and his support system. He extended his thanks to his family, friends, coaches, support staff, physios, trainers, mental conditional coach, nutritionists, doctors, and groundsmen. He also acknowledged the media and press for their role in his journey.

Conclusion

Vijay Shankar leaves behind a legacy of versatility and resilience. While some may question if he fully fulfilled his potential, his statistics across 77 first-class games and 159 T20s speak to a professional who competed at the highest levels of the game. As he transitions away from the IPL and Indian domestic cricket, a new horizon awaits him in global franchise leagues, carrying with him the lessons and memories of a 13-year journey that took him from the fields of Tamil Nadu to the world stage.