Vijay Shankar planning to change states for top order batting chances

Vijay Shankar's rise and the subsequent fall in Indian cricket has been documented wildly, with the batting all-rounder from Tamil Nadu falling out of favour even in India A side. His inability to finish off close games worked against his favour and Shankar could never really pick up the puzzle. However, in order to get more opportunities to bat at the top of the order, he is contemplating changing his state team to get back in the India reckoning.

“It is not that I had performed badly for India. I did well. My batting position was never certain. I batted at different places. In 12 ODIs, I got to bat eight-nine times and on five of those occasions, I went in with the asking rate being too high. I know that in cricket you have to be good enough to perform at any stage. But sometimes it doesn’t come off or gets difficult,” Vijay told IANS. 

“I don’t compare myself with others. I have been bowling well for my franchise. But I have not had a very good time with the bat. Last season in IPL, out of five innings, I walked in four times with the team chasing 10 or 12 an over. It is a challenge for anyone to take on the bowlers from the start.”

“I got into India reckoning after I performed with the bat at No. 5, I want to be in the game all the time. I have thought about changing my state team so that I can get to bat at either No. 4 or No. 5. But let us see. I hope Tamil Nadu pushes me up the order,” added Shankar.

One of the concerns of Shankar has been his fitness, which has deterred him from many opportunities. The all-rounder has admitted the same while adding that he needs to push himself.

“I am working on my fitness. I did well with the ball recently in IPL. I need to keep pushing myself. I have to keep my fitness level high. The challenge is to keep pushing.”