IPL 2019 | Not satisfied yet, want to win games for my team, says Vijay Shankar

03/30/2019

Vijay Shankar has stated that he is not yet satisfied with his performance and added that he wants to win games for his team. The batting all-rounder has expressed his desire to finish matches and is confident of putting up a match-winning show in the upcoming games both with bat and ball.

Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar has come a long way since his international debut in the Nidahas Trophy last year where he almost cost India the match with his sluggish innings. He was drafted into the Indian limited-overs squad for the Australia and New Zealand series, as a replacement for Hardik Pandya. After a few memorable innings, and especially after the match-winning last over he bowled against Australia in the second ODI at home, he is in contention for a berth in India’s World Cup squad.

The 28-year-old has done well for his franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad in the two matches thus far, with an unbeaten 40 off 24 in the first match, followed by a 35 off 15 in the next. Shankar believes his confidence has grown after playing for India and SRH in the Indian Premier League.

“Yes. Confidence-wise (I have grown), definitely yes. I am good at facing different situations now. I look forward not to take this as overconfidence and want to win matches for my team. That is very important for me. This match was an opportunity where I missed it but in the coming games if I can win one or two games for my team I will be really happy and satisfied. I need to satisfy myself rather than satisfying other people. There is no point pleasing everybody for 20-30 runs and then getting out. It is important to finish the game for myself,” stated Shankar, reported TOI.

In his team’s first match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Vijay Shankar came in at number three, after a century stand by the openers, and did justice by scoring a quick 40. In the next match against Rajasthan Royals, he came in at number four, looking to chase a target of 199 after another brisk start by the openers. He started well and smashed three maximums and a four, before falling for Shreyas Gopal’s googly. He was disappointed as he failed to finish the game for his team, after being set.

“I think I batted in different situations in both games. But I was pretty disappointed with the way I got out today. I was waiting for such an opportunity. I had created an opportunity from where I could have won the game for my team and remain not out. I could have won the game on my own. But then the good thing what I can take from this game is the way I was thinking. Even the ball that I got out I was not thinking of hitting a six or something. I picked the googly and all I wanted to do was to hit it over the bowler's head for a two or a four. I think I got too close to the ball and that’s where everything changed for me. I am disappointed that I couldn't be there till the end for my team but overall the way I was thinking, the way I shaped up in the last two innings was good for me and the team,” added the right-hander.

The all-rounder’s strength is his batting and he is not rated very high with the ball. He only has two wickets to his name in nine ODIs, and gave away 13 runs in the lone over he has bowled in the two matches so far, this season.

“Maybe (I would like to bowl more). Today I had an opportunity to bowl an over. Maybe if I hadn't given 13 runs and if I had given just 8 or 9 runs in that situation, I might have bowled another over. I just have to keep waiting for my opportunity and whenever I get an opportunity I should deliver and get the confidence from the captain that I can bowl. That’s how I have been doing all this while. I don’t think that they are not given me to bowl etc. I have to wait for an opportunity and when I get it I should grab it,” he expressed.

The Orange Army will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore tomorrow at Hyderabad in their next encounter.