Vijay Shankar Announces Retirement From Domestic Cricket And IPL
Former India all-rounder Vijay Shankar has officially announced his retirement from domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), bringing an end to a professional journey that spanned more than a decade across Indian cricket.
The 35-year-old cricketer shared the news through an emotional social media post, stating that he now wants to “pursue new opportunities” and continue playing cricket in different environments outside the Indian domestic system.
Vijay Shankar’s Emotional Retirement Message
In his retirement statement, Vijay Shankar reflected on his long cricket journey and the challenges he faced throughout his career.
He reportedly wrote:
“Cricket is my life.”
He also thanked teammates, coaches, family members, and supporters who stood by him during both successful and difficult phases of his career.
According to reports, Shankar also mentioned facing:
- “unreal hate”
- online negativity
- criticism during his career.
His statement quickly went viral among cricket fans across social media.
Why Vijay Shankar Became Famous As “3D Cricketer”
Vijay Shankar became widely known during India’s 2019 ODI World Cup squad selection.
Former Indian selector MSK Prasad had famously described him as a:
“3D player”
because of his ability to contribute through:
- batting
- bowling
- fielding.
The nickname became one of the most discussed topics in Indian cricket at the time and remained associated with Shankar throughout his career.
Vijay Shankar’s International Career
Vijay Shankar represented India in:
- 12 One Day Internationals (ODIs)
- 9 T20 Internationals (T20Is)
between 2018 and 2019.
He was part of India’s squad during the:
- 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
However, his World Cup campaign was cut short because of a toe injury, after which he struggled to regain a permanent place in the national side.
Domestic Cricket Journey
Vijay Shankar built a strong reputation in Indian domestic cricket, especially while representing:
- Tamil Nadu
- later Tripura.
He was regarded as a dependable middle-order batter and useful seam-bowling all-rounder.
Over the years, he played important roles in:
- Vijay Hazare Trophy
- Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
- Ranji Trophy competitions
for Tamil Nadu cricket.
IPL Career Across Multiple Teams
Shankar also had a long IPL career spanning multiple franchises.
He represented teams including:
- Chennai Super Kings
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Gujarat Titans
- Delhi Capitals.
Reports suggest he played around 78 IPL matches across nearly 10 seasons.
His best IPL performances came as a flexible all-rounder capable of stabilizing innings and contributing with medium pace.
Retirement To Continue Playing Overseas?
Interestingly, reports indicate Shankar may continue playing cricket outside India after retiring from domestic cricket and IPL.
According to reports, he stepped away from Indian cricket structures to:
- pursue overseas opportunities
- extend his playing career
- participate in global franchise leagues.
This trend has become increasingly common among experienced cricketers seeking opportunities in:
- international T20 leagues
- associate cricket
- overseas domestic competitions
Social Media Reactions
Cricket fans reacted emotionally to the retirement announcement.
Many supporters remembered:
- his 2019 World Cup selection
- his all-round abilities
- his calm batting style
- the “3D player” debate
Former teammates and fans also praised his contribution to Indian domestic cricket.
A Career Filled With High Expectations
Vijay Shankar was once viewed as one of India’s promising seam-bowling all-rounders.
His ability to:
- bat in the middle order
- bowl medium pace
- field effectively
made him valuable in limited-overs cricket.
However, injuries, inconsistency, and intense competition in Indian cricket limited his long-term international opportunities.
Why His Retirement Matters
Shankar’s retirement highlights how competitive Indian cricket has become, especially for all-rounders trying to secure permanent spots in the national team.
Despite not having a lengthy international career, he remained a respected performer in:
- domestic cricket
- IPL tournaments
- Indian white-ball cricket systems
for several years.
Conclusion
With his retirement from domestic cricket and the IPL, Vijay Shankar closes an important chapter of his Indian cricket journey.
From becoming India’s famous “3D cricketer” to representing the country at the 2019 World Cup, Shankar experienced both major highs and intense public scrutiny during his career.
While he may continue playing overseas cricket, his departure from Indian domestic cricket marks the end of a significant era for one of Tamil Nadu’s well-known all-rounders.