Vijay Shankar Retires from Indian Cricket
INTRODUCTION:
Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar has officially called time on his domestic cricket and Indian Premier League (IPL) career. The 35-year-old took to social media to announce his decision, marking the end of a professional journey in the Indian circuit that spanned over a decade.
While he is stepping away from the Indian domestic setup, Shankar confirmed he is not walking away from the sport entirely. Instead, he plans to explore opportunities in various franchise leagues around the world. The move comes after Shankar went unsold in the latest IPL 2026 auction.
“Cricket is my life. I started playing when I was 10 and 25 years later, I am grateful and blessed to have played at every level and to the highest level,” Shankar wrote in his heartfelt farewell note. “I have decided to retire from playing domestic cricket and IPL to pursue new opportunities and play more cricket.”
The “3D Cricketer” Legacy and Addressing the Hate
Shankar’s career, while filled with highs, was heavily heavily scrutinized following the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup selection. After being chosen over Ambati Rayudu for a spot in the squad, the then-chief selector MSK Prasad justified the decision by calling Shankar a “three-dimensional” player. Rayudu famously retaliated with a sarcastic tweet about “ordering 3D glasses,” which inadvertently made Shankar the target of immense online trolling and criticism.
In his farewell post, Shankar addressed the mental toll of that period while demonstrating remarkable grace. He chose to sign off his post as “Your 3D cricketer, Vijay Shankar.”
“I have faced unreal hate and negativity. Let me take this opportunity to let you know that I chose to ignore and move forward. If I can do that—anyone can! Think positive and work hard. Cricket has taught me life.”
International and IPL Highlights
Shankar represented India in 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is between 2018 and 2019. Despite a relatively brief international stint, he produced some highly memorable moments for Indian fans:
A Historic First: He took a wicket off his very first ball in a World Cup match against Pakistan in 2019.
Holding Nerve: He famously bowled the dramatic final over to secure a win in India’s 500th ODI at Nagpur.
In the IPL, Shankar was a recognizable face, featuring in 78 matches over ten seasons. Throughout his career, he represented the Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and the Gujarat Titans (where he won the 2022 championship).
A Stalwart in Domestic Cricket
Before stepping onto the international stage, Shankar was a pillar of Tamil Nadu’s domestic setup. As a captain, he led the state team to significant white-ball success, securing titles in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
First-Class Career Record:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Batting Average | Centuries | Wickets |
| First-Class | 77 | 4,253 | 46.73 | 13 | 43 |
| List A | 112 | 2,790 | 34.87 | 2 | 73 |
After parting ways with Tamil Nadu, he turned out for Tripura during the 2025–26 domestic season.
By retiring from Indian cricket, Shankar is now eligible to participate in overseas T20 leagues. Reports indicate he is actively exploring stints in tournaments like the Lanka Premier League (LPL) and Major League Cricket (MLC), following in the footsteps of former teammates like Dinesh Karthik who have successfully transitioned to global franchise cricket.
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