Axed Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar, whose career has been marred with injuries, has not given up on the hopes of his return to the Indian team.
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are currently India’s two most recognised all-rounders, but with MI player becoming a pure batsman off late has opened a door for a pace-bowling all-rounder in limited overs team. With Hardik’s back issues, Shankar’s name is being discussed for the spot.
The 30-year-old was a part of the 2019 World Cup squad and scored 58 runs in three games before an ankle injury ruled him out of the tournament. After recovering from injury, he couldn’t make it into the team as India had moved onto a new direction. Shankar’s lack of output in IPL, where he has scored 155 runs in 14 matches across two seasons, hasn’t helped his cause either.
India require a pace-bowling all-rounder, and Shankar does fit the bill. However, the 30-year old doesn’t want to be back in the side just to fill the all-rounder’s slot. Although he believes he has done better than the most, Shankar wants to earn his place back.
“I don’t want to be in the team just because I am an all-rounder, someone who can bat and bowl. It should be more genuine; I should be in the team when people trust me for my abilities. I have said in the past about not liking comparisons. But if you really compare, I think I definitely have done better than most,”
Shankar told India Today.
Before his unfortunate exit from the World Cup, Shankar had played 12 ODIs for India, scoring 223 runs at an average of 31.85, which included a couple of handy 40s when the team was in trouble. The all-rounder believes he had put in performances to be considered again after recovering from injury.
“I can’t think of getting into the Indian side, those things are not in my hand. All I can do is prepare hard and try and do well in the matches that I play. I will try to push for that place again. Definitely, whoever has played for that country would love to wear that jersey again. There is no doubt about that. I just felt that when I had a decent run and I was not even considered after that, it was a little disappointing,”
he added.
Shankar’s career has been marred with injuries at regular intervals. After recovering from an injured ankle that forced him out of his World Cup campaign, Shankar suffered a hamstring injury, ruling him out of IPL 2020. He had another setback when he sustained another injury during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this year.
“It was very difficult, definitely. But if you ask me, from the time I got dropped from the Indian team, it was very difficult. I had another injury and then I was not even closer to getting into the Indian side after that. If you see, definitely injuries have played a big part in my career. I don’t see that as something which I can justify, saying I could have done better if I had been fit. I don’t think that is fair to say. Injuries are bound to happen for sportsmen,”
MI cricketer concluded.
With a T20 World Cup slated later this year, many players are looking to push their case forward for a spot in the Indian team. Shankar will also be in the reckoning for an all-rounder’s slot, and he could get an opportunity to prove himself on the tour of Sri Lanka.
