Twitter Reactions: Vijay Shankar gets unluckily run-out after scoring 46 in Nagpur

Opportunities are never lost, not even in cricket. With India’s premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya failing to play regularly for the country because of diverse reasons – injury and controversy – it opened the doors for another promising all-rounder Vijay Shankar as he was picked as the former’s replacement. The 28-year-old made his ODI debut against Australia in Melbourne in January and has played quite a few ODIs and T20Is since then.

On Tuesday, Vijay came to bat at No.5 after India were reduced to 75 for 3 with captain Virat Kohli at the other end. The duo took the attack to the opponents’ camp by adding 81 runs from 71 deliveries and the partnership was looking promising when disaster struck.

It was the fifth delivery of the 29th over when Kohli drove one from spinner Adam Zampa straight with a lot of force and the ball touched the bowler’s fingertips on its way to hit the stumps, catching Vijay short of the crease. The non-striker made a good effort to regain his ground but fell short. Vijay was batting very well at the time with 46 from 41 deliveries and the unfortunate dismissal saw a premature end of a promising inning. India were 156 for 4 and their lower middle-order was exposed.

‘Oozing class’, Manjrekar says about Vijay’s knock

Vijay’s 46, however, impressed experts and fans and the knock could help strengthen his case for securing a berth for the World Cup to be held in England and Wales from May. Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar praised Vijay’s innings in a tweet in which he said it was “oozing class”. It is Vijay’s highest score in ODIs so far, bettering the previous best of 45 scored against New Zealand in Wellington last month.

Forget Vijay Shankar the all rounder, let’s focus on Vijay Shankar the batsman. That innings of 46 was oozing class. 👏👏👏🙏#AUSvIND

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 5, 2019

If reports are to be believed, Vijay could be in a race for a WC squad berth with spinner Ravindra Jadeja for one sport that is yet undecided. Jadeja was chosen ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal for the Nagpur ODI may be for the selectors to see how he fares too in the run-up to the quadrennial tournament.

Here are some reactions that the Twittearti came up with over Vijay’s innings:

Forget Vijay Shankar the all rounder, let’s focus on Vijay Shankar the batsman. That innings of 46 was oozing class. 👏👏👏🙏#AUSvIND

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 5, 2019

Vijay Shankar’s batting will be the talk of the town in the IPL. Will play some match winning knocks this season. Early call. #SRH #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 5, 2019

Am I the only one thinking about Vijay Shankar in place of Rayadu @StarSportsIndia #asktheexpert

— Jitendra Kumar (@jkgawriya57) March 5, 2019

I think virat should try Vijay Shankar at no.4

— Dipendra Chaudhary (@Dipendr48079169) March 5, 2019

Vijay Shankar at Number 4 for the World Cup, anyone? #BCCI #IndianCricketTeam #INDvAUS

— Shahbaz Waraich (@WaraichShahbaz) March 5, 2019

Vijay Shankar has been extremely impressive. This is who he is. A quality batsman who can give you a few overs.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2019

Another class of Vijay .Vijay Shankar is better class batsman than other like Rishabh ,Dinesh, Ambati Rayudu .India should go with Vijay. What do say? @vikrantgupta73

— Sadiq Husain (@HSHusain30) March 5, 2019

Vijay Shankar at number 4 suddenly makes a lot of sense now!#CBhaveyoursay #INDvAUS

— S Sathish Kumar (@sathishpsbb) March 5, 2019

Vijay Shankar has been very very impressive!India can go with him as a pure batsman who can bowl few overs in WC.#AUSvIND

— Aryan Bhalla (@AryanBhalla57) March 5, 2019

I think Vijay shankar is suited for no 4 ….what do you think ?#StarAiKelungal

— Suresh Karunanithi (@sureshkcivil3) March 5, 2019

Vijay Shankar can be nurtured to be play the role of Yuvraj/Raina in the lower middle order who can bowl a few overs. His innings today was exquisite. #INDvAUS

— #KingKohli (@Dipakshelke21) March 5, 2019

Barring handy support from Vijay Shankar, this has been a stupendous one-man show by @imVkohli. India could conceivably get to 300!if he bats till the end which would be extremely daunting for Aus batting second

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 5, 2019

Can't we try Vijay Shankar at No 4, the way ge batted today was fabulous, he's adroit batsman who can give 4-5 overs and may pick wickets.
He can give balance in the world cup#INDvAUS #AUSvIND

— amey guthe (@amey_guthe) March 5, 2019

Vijay Shankar is the guy India need at No. 4. Use Rayudu as a backup batsman/opener if needed. But Vijay Shankar deserves to be in the 11.

— Shivam Bhuyar (@BhuyarShivam) March 5, 2019

Another brilliant knock by @imVkohli@vijayshankar260 would have surely disappointed after getting run out like that unfortunately. He will be there in WC squad. I feel Rayudu will not make an impact in England condition. DK is a better option in 15. #INDvAUS #Kohli #VijayShankar

— Aravindh Ram (@aravindhram) March 5, 2019

Vijay Shankar last two ODI innings:

5th ODI vs NZ : Got run out for 45 When he looked really good.

2nd ODI vs Aus: Got run out for 46 When he looked really good.#INDvAUS #INDvsNZ

— Vijay Shankar (@ImVijayShankar) March 5, 2019

This is exactly how I feel now when everyone is full of praise for Vijay Shankar…
Romba naala thaniya defend panitu irundhen pic.twitter.com/XxJvULNhG4

— Vivek S (@Vivek_rko) March 5, 2019

Apart from Vijay Shankar's innings Kohli didn't have any help whatsoever from any of the other batters. #INDvAUS

— Prantik (@JoeHarts_hat) March 5, 2019

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