8 Interesting facts about Vijay Shankar

As Bhuvneshwar Kumar took a break from the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka, all-rounder Vijay Shankar was been named as the replacement by the BCCI for the remaining two Tests. Those who have been catching up on the Ranji Trophy would have heard of Shankar who also played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

The 26-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder has been rewarded with the maiden call-up following consistent performances for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket. He has 1671 runs (ave. 49.14) and 27 wickets in 32 first-class matches. He has worked on his improving his pace and control over the last year. Since not many are aware of who this young lad is, here are 8 facts about India’s newest all-rounder:

1. Early days

Shankar’s passion for the game reflects in the fact that he used to play in the car parking area along with his father and brother who was a lower division player in TNCA.

2. Backing of supportive father

His father, H Shankar, set up their terrace into a personal training area with nets, synthetic astroturf and a bowling machine after he felt that the car parking area of 15 feet width and 35 feet length restricted his stroke play and would need two hours travelling time if he wanted to play at the Chakrathar Rao academy run by a former Ranji player.

3. Simplicity is key

Unlike most modern cricketers these days who are into different kinds of hairstyles and inks on the body, Shankar enjoys being simple without a fancy hairstyles or tattoos. Likes to spend time with friends and is a Manchester United fan.

4. Hurdles on his way

While most may think Shankar had it easy, the reality is different. He had a shoulder injury in 2015, and a knee surgery followed in 2016. He had a shoulder injury again after being hit by a ball during India A’s tour to South Africa a few months back.

5. The numbers are with him

Moreover, his selection won’t be questioned when people see that he averages 94.75 in multi-day games for India as he scored 379 runs in 8 innings with three fifties and a century. He was most recently appointed Tamil Nadu’s captain since Abhinav Mukund wanted a break from captaincy to focus on his batting. In his first assignment as skipper, Shankar led Tamil Nadu to triumph in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Deodhar Trophy.

6. A maximum to remember

He hit a six onto the glass of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium media box during the India A vs Bangladesh A unofficial Test in 2015. His personal coach S Balaji joked, “For a vegetarian, he can hit the ball a long way.”

7. The Wall for inspiration

Shankar idolizes Rahul Dravid and watches his performance in Adelaide Test in 2004 for inspiration.

8. Passed the Yo-Yo Test with flying colours

There was a fitness concern with him as he was out of action due to numerous injuries over the last three years, a fit-again Vijay Shankar gained confidence about his fitness after clearing the Yo-Yo Test successfully where he scored 18.5 in the test in October while the bench mark score is 16.1.