India vs Australia | Vijay Shankar hopes to get redemption for Nidahas Trophy failure after sudden India lifeline
Vijay Shankar has stated that the Australia series has given him an opportunity to find his redemption for the Nidahas Trophy failure which had given him a lot of brickbats. The TN all-rounder was added to the Indian team after Hardik Pandya was suspended for his inappropriate comments on a TV show.
A successful A tour of Australia in 2016 would have guaranteed Shankar a maiden India call-up, but he was ruled out of the tour with a meniscus tear and a grade-four patella injury to his knee and had to undergo a surgery instantly which made way for Hardik Pandyaâs inclusion in the A-side. While Pandya used the opportunity to get a maiden ODI call-up in the subsequent home series against New Zealand, Vijay had to go through a long rehabilitation programme in Bengaluru instead of travelling with the A team for a tour Down Under.
Two years down the line, the tale reversed for the duo as Pandya was sent back home after BCCI found the comments he and KL Rahul made on a chat show on TV. The selectors then announced two like-for-like replacements by picking Shankar and Shubman Gill in the team. In some way, it is a validation for the duoâs impressive performances on the A and the domestic circuit in the last
âObviously, if I do well in Australia I might get into the mix for the World Cup as well. What is there with me now is because I have been working hard for it. I think it is very important for me is to keep the work ethic going and enjoy the series in Australia,â Shankar told SportsCafe after getting the news of his selection in the Indian team.
âWith the four-five dot balls that I had faced in that match, people had created a different perception for me. Once in a while, I think about that, but the good thing was that when I came back and played the IPL last year, I did reasonably well for Delhi. If you see, I have the highest average ever in the IPL. So these things like peopleâs perception..,â he stops while reminiscing one of the harshest and difficult days of his cricketing life.Â
However, he understood the magnitude of the love that people have for the game in this country and realised that it was natural for them to feel that way. But, as he gears up for another big assignment, this time an ODI challenge in Australia in the latterâs own backyard, Shankar stays calm and composed.Â
âI understand cricket is more than a sport here in our country. It is a religion here. So that is something we canât control. It happens to even the top cricketers like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni. It is something that is uncontrollable. So I think to concertante more on winning games for the country. That one day gave me a lot of knowledge about my life. How to handle media, how to handle social media and most importantly, how to handle expectations. I have been very consistent after that. So, I feel, I got better gradually after that incident and can do well this time.â Â
âThe best thing about me is that I donât generally think about the future so much. Even when I play a domestic game or an India A game, all I think is to contribute as much as I can and win matches for my team. That has always been my thinking process.âÂ
Shankar was a part of the India A team that travelled New Zealand for three unofficial Tests and as many one-day matches. He was at the top of his form in both the series as he crossed the 50-run mark four times out of total five innings. The ODI series was more productive for him as he scored 188 runs at an average of 94 with two fifties, making sure that the selectors kept a close eye on him. And now Shankar thinks that the understanding of the conditions in Australia and New Zealand will be a great help for him in the ongoing series.
âWhat is important for me is to understand the conditions and adapt to it as quickly as possible because if I am going to play in the middle-order, I have to quickly make myself settle down. In New Zealand, I won a couple of games for India A, chasing 300+ runs. Those games gave me confidence that I can win matches for the team. It will be a great experience and learning for me.â
Shankarâs batting has played a huge role in becoming one of the mainstays in India A team, but the continuous injury forced him to reduce his bowling. From being one of the prime enforcers as far as bowling is concerned, Shankar has turned to be a stop-gap arrangement. However, he is slowly finding his groove and can make himself a better bowler in the coming days.Â
âI havenât been bowling much for Tamil Nadu now. But when I went to New Zealand, I used to bowl 3-4 overs and I was able to pick one wicket at least. I was economical in a couple of games, and I went for runs only in one match. Right now, once I get into the Indian team and when I can get to
He will board a flight to Melbourne tonight and will join the Indian team ahead of the second ODIÂ at the iconic MCG.Â