Vijay Shankar upbeat to have a familiar dressing room for Nidahas Trophy

27-year-old all-rounder Vijay Shankar looks to be taking baby steps in what can be a promising career, after being named in India’s squad for the upcoming Nidahas Trophy. The Tamil Nadu cricketer, who was part of the team for two Tests during the Test series against Sri Lanka in 2017, is excited to be back in the Indian dressing room.

Shankar also looks relieved that he will have his state teammates Washington Sundar and senior gloveman pro Dinesh Karthik for the company when he embarks on his maiden foreign assignment in Sri Lanka with the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team. Familiarity with unknown conditions is a bonus and the guidance of his seniors can be imperative ahead of the tour.

According to Sportarlive, upbeat with his upcoming endeavor, Shankar said, “It is a familiar dressing room, having played with most of the team members (for India A), who has been chosen for the series in Sri Lanka. It will be nice to have them (Karthik and Sundar) also in the dressing room.”

Shankar comes as a replacement for Hardik Pandya

Shankar termed his inclusion as a “pleasant surprise” as the national selectors are looking at him as a substitute of Hardik Pandya. The Mumbai Indians star had impressed in the first Test in Cape Town with a valiant 93 that helped the visitors out of trouble in the first innings.

Ever since, Pandya, who has been likened to Kapil Dev, could only manage a mediocre campaign, leading to questions over his place in the side.

Shankar has been in prime form off late

The all-rounder earned his spot on the back of some fine performances. Vijay Shankar, who is the skipper of the Tamil Nadu limited-overs team, has looked in the prime form off late. He enjoyed a scintillating run in the domestic tournaments, both in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The seaming all-rounder scored a century and a half-century in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy league phase here, though his side played below par and bowed out early.

Shankar was also picked up Delhi Daredevils for ₹ 3.2 crores during the IPL auctions in January.