India | Allrounder
Vijay Shankar is an Indian cricketer who plays for the Tamil Nadu state cricket team. He is an all-rounder who bats right-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace. He played for India in 2019 Cricket World Cup, where he became the first Indian to pick up a wicket on the first ball of his World Cup debut.
| Full Name Vijay Shankar | Born January 26, 1991, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu | Age 34y 110d |
| Batting Style Right hand Bat | Bowling Style Right arm Medium | Playing Role Allrounder |
TEAMS
Vijay Shankar: The Tenacious All-Rounder of Indian Cricket
About Him
Vijay Shankar, born on January 26, 1991 , in Tamil Nadu, is an Indian cricketer renowned for his versatility as a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler . Standing at 6 feet , he combines physicality with technical finesse, making him a valuable all-rounder in modern cricket .
Early Career & Domestic Journey
Vijay Shankar’s cricketing journey began in Tamil Nadu’s domestic circuit, where his consistent performances caught the eye of selectors . His ability to anchor innings with crucial knocks and chip in with economical bowling earned him recognition as a dependable all-rounder. By 2014, he transitioned into professional cricket, debuting for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL . Over the years, he became a stalwart for Tamil Nadu in Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy , often stabilizing the middle order and delivering under pressure .
In 2022, he shifted to Himachal Pradesh for domestic cricket, further broadening his experience . His adaptability to different conditions and roles underscored his growth as a cricketer.
International Career
Shankar’s international breakthrough came in 2018 when he made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka . However, his most significant moment arrived during the 2019 Cricket World Cup , where he became the first Indian to score a half-century in a World Cup debut, scoring 70 against New Zealand * . Despite this stellar performance, injuries and inconsistent selection limited his international appearances, with his last ODI coming in 2019 .
Indian Premier League (IPL) Exploits
Vijay Shankar’s IPL career began with Chennai Super Kings in 2014, where he showcased his ability to handle pressure in high-stakes matches . Later, he joined Gujarat Titans for IPL 2023 , leveraging his experience in both batting and bowling departments . Known for his calm demeanor , he often stabilized innings with calculated strokes and chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, making him a strategic asset for captains.
He returned to CSK, his home franchise, for IPL 2025.
Strong Zones
- Middle-Order Stability : Shankar excels as a number four or five batsman , capable of anchoring innings and accelerating when needed.
- Versatile Bowling : His right-arm medium pace offers variations, making him effective in both death overs and the powerplay.
- Crucial Knockouts : His 2019 World Cup performance highlighted his ability to thrive in high-pressure tournaments .
- Fielding Prowess : Agile in the field, he contributes with sharp reflexes and safe hands.
Legacy & Impact
Though Vijay Shankar’s international career remains brief, his 2019 World Cup heroics cemented his reputation as a fearless performer . Domestically, he inspired Tamil Nadu’s emerging talents with his work ethic and adaptability . In the IPL, his role as a “finisher-bowler” added depth to franchises like CSK and Gujarat Titans .
Despite setbacks, Shankar’s journey embodies resilience, proving that perseverance can carve a niche even in competitive cricket.
Vijay Shankar Career Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 12 | 8 | 1 | 223 | 46 | 31.85 | 246 | 90.65 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| T20Is | 9 | 4 | 0 | 101 | 43 | 25.25 | 73 | 138.35 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| FC | 70 | 95 | 13 | 3702 | 150* | 45.14 | 7049 | 52.51 | 11 | 22 | 408 | 43 | 44 | 0 |
| List A | 106 | 92 | 17 | 2632 | 129 | 35.09 | 2967 | 88.70 | 2 | 14 | 200 | 56 | 41 | 0 |
| T20s | 152 | 121 | 29 | 2454 | 69* | 26.67 | 1891 | 129.77 | 0 | 11 | 171 | 98 | 68 | 0 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 12 | 9 | 233 | 210 | 4 | 2/15 | 2/15 | 52.50 | 5.40 | 58.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 9 | 6 | 126 | 191 | 5 | 2/32 | 2/32 | 38.20 | 9.09 | 25.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 70 | 81 | 4337 | 2319 | 43 | 4/52 | 5/89 | 53.93 | 3.20 | 100.8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 106 | 85 | 2550 | 2212 | 64 | 4/34 | 4/34 | 34.56 | 5.20 | 39.8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 152 | 65 | 872 | 1189 | 36 | 3/12 | 3/12 | 33.02 | 8.18 | 24.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Vijay Shankar T20 Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 4 teams | 78 | 65 | 18 | 1233 | 69* | 26.23 | 950 | 129.78 | 0 | 7 | 88 | 48 | 31 | 0 |
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 4 teams | 78 | 22 | 238 | 344 | 9 | 2/19 | 2/19 | 38.22 | 8.67 | 26.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Debut/Last Matches of Vijay Shankar
ODI Matches
Debut
Australia vs India at Melbourne – January 18, 2019
Last
India vs West Indies at Manchester – June 27, 2019
T20I Matches
Debut
Sri Lanka vs India at Colombo (RPS) – March 06, 2018
Last
India vs Australia at Bengaluru – February 27, 2019
FC Matches
Debut
Tamil Nadu vs Vidarbha at Nagpur – December 01 – 04, 2012
Last
Vidarbha vs Tamil Nadu at Nagpur – February 08 – 11, 2025
List A Matches
Debut
Andhra vs Tamil Nadu at Bangalore – February 20, 2012
Last
Rajasthan vs Tamil Nadu at Vadodara – January 09, 2025
T20 Matches
Debut
Andhra vs Tamil Nadu at Bhadravati – March 17, 2013
Last
CSK vs MI at Wankhede – April 20, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru