ICC World Cup 2019 | The more I enjoy, the better I will perform, says Vijay Shankar
Vijay Shankar has stated that the more he enjoys, the better he will perform at the World Cup in England and Wales, starting May 30. The all-rounder managed to make a cut in the 15 man squad, despite not being in reckoning nine ODIs ago and is very likely to start at the number four position.
Vijay Shankar had made his T20I debut for India in the Nidahas Trophy last year where had a forgettable outing in the finals. He was immediately dropped but was once again looked at in the series in Australia after Hardik Pandya’s debut. The all-rounder was nowhere in contention for the World Cup berth but has now managed to find a place on the flight to England ahead of Ambato Rayudu. He shared that it will be a special feeling.
"Yes, it's my first World Cup and (to be playing in) that India jersey will be more special because the World Cup comes once in four years. Wearing the jersey itself oru thani (is a unique) feeling. Every time I wear that and step out onto the field, it's going to be a great feeling. Pressure is always there. If you start giving too much importance to pressure, you won't be in the present. I just want to enjoy the game and work on all aspects - batting, bowling and fielding. The more I enjoy my game, the better I can perform,” said Shankar, reported ESPN Cricinfo.
In the final ODI in New Zealand, Indie were reeling at 18 for four in under ten overs. Shankar came into bat and went on to score 45 runs off 64 deliveries before being run out. He managed to bail out India along with Ambati Rayudu while taking the total to 252. India eventually won the match and the Tamil Nadu player opened up on his innings.
“I always think a lot about the game - a couple of days before a game, I plan, do some visualisation - but on the field it's important for me to react to the ball. In Wellington, I just had to play out the new ball. I don't know how to describe it... my mind was blank. It was a challenging wicket, we were 18 for 4, but I just reacted to the ball. I feel it's important for anyone to adapt; you never know what kind of situation you will walk into,” said the 28-year-old.
He also acknowledged that he was ready for various roles in the quadrennial event, be it the role of an aggressor or a finisher.
“More than the batting position it's the situation that's going to matter, like I said earlier. Sometimes you might walk in at 200 or 250 for two and you might have to finish the innings. If you can prepare yourself to the best of your abilities and react to the situation, things will fall into place,” explained the right-hander.
Shankar only has two wickets in nine matches, both of which came in the final over against Australia in the second ODI of the home series. He still has five wickets in six innings of the shortest format. The all-rounder thanked the bowling coach Bharat Arun as well as the management for the bowling opportunities.
“After the series against Australia, I've started to bowl more. Even in the IPL (Indian Premier League), I did a lot of bowling training, and the more you bowl, you'll get better at it. I've also started to enjoy bowling more. I started out as an off-spinner, then took up medium pace and worked on it. It's important to train with purpose and not just practise for the sake of it,” he expressed.
“B Arun was helpful during the Australia series and later during the IPL. I was working on a few things. I try out variations, work on my speed, and look to be more stable while delivering the ball. The management also backed me in the Australia series and that was very important for me,” he added.
Lastly, Shankar stated that he doesn’t have any targets for the showpiece event and will do what the team requires of him.
“No, no. I just want to keep my mind blank and do what the team needs me to do,” he signed off.