Vijay Shankar Bids Farewell to Indian Cricket: A Journey of Resilience
Vijay Shankar Announces Retirement from Indian Cricket
Former Indian cricketer Vijay Shankar has officially announced his retirement from all formats of Indian cricket, marking an emotional end to a career that faced significant public scrutiny. Shankar has not been part of the national team for nearly seven years, with his last appearance for India occurring during the 2019 ODI World Cup.
Final Competitive Match and Transition
His last competitive performance was in a Ranji Trophy match for Tripura against Gujarat Titans in Agartala, where he impressively scored 151 runs in the first innings. After a successful stint with Tamil Nadu, he joined Tripura for the 2025-26 domestic season.
Retirement Announcement Amid IPL Season
At 35 years old, Shankar has decided to retire from domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL) to explore new opportunities, including playing cricket internationally. His retirement announcement coincided with the ongoing IPL season, although he was not part of any team this year after going unsold in the 2026 mini-auction held in December.
Reflecting on a Distinguished Career
In his retirement statement shared on social media, Shankar reflected on his career milestones, including bowling the last over in India’s 500th ODI and taking a wicket with his first ball in the 2019 World Cup. He expressed gratitude towards the BCCI, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, and Tripura Cricket Association for their support during his final season.
Overcoming Adversity and Moving Forward
Shankar candidly discussed the emotional challenges he faced following the 2019 World Cup, mentioning the 'unreal hate and negativity' he encountered. Instead of dwelling on these experiences, he emphasized resilience, stating that he chose to ignore the criticism and focus on moving forward. In his farewell message, he encouraged others to adopt a positive mindset and work hard.
Legacy of the '3D Cricketer'
Shankar's retirement statement also referenced his '3D Cricketer' label, which signifies a player with exceptional all-round abilities in batting, bowling, and fielding. This term was coined by former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad during the 2019 World Cup selection process, highlighting Shankar's versatility. However, it became controversial after the exclusion of Ambati Rayudu from the squad, leading to Rayudu's viral tweet about needing '3D glasses' to watch the World Cup.
Now, Shankar has reclaimed the '3D Cricketer' title, transforming it into a symbol of pride and resilience as he closes this chapter of his life.
Career Statistics
During his international career from 2018 to 2019, Vijay Shankar played 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is, accumulating 223 and 101 runs, respectively, while taking 4 and 5 wickets.