Very Much Prepared For The Crucial No. 4 Position: Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar will definitely be under pressure when he travels to UK with the rest of the India  squad for the upcoming World Cup. While one just cannot question the talent and credentials of Shankar, one can also not deny that he was a surprise pick in the squad considering his lack of experience. Ambati Rayudu was looking set to be India’s man for the number four spot before his poor form coincided with Shankar’s impressive performance.

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Rayudu performed terribly against Australia at home and failed to rediscover his top form in IPL too while Shankar grabbed his opportunities with both hands and was then duly rewarded with a spot in the World Cup spot. Shankar is more than likely to be India’s man at number four. Although there are suggestions that India can also try out KL Rahul, it is highly unlikely.

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Chief selector MSK Prasad has already said that Shankar would bat at number four while Rahul will be the reserve opener. And ahead of the big task, Shankar has said he is ready for the mega event. The allrounder from Tamil Nadu said he is ready to shoulder the responsibility of the number four spot.

“I am very much prepared for the crucial No. 4 position. I am mentally prepared for that. It is that position where you might have to come in (in the) 7th or 8th over and (it) might be possible (that) you have to come after 30 or 35 overs, so I have prepared myself for every situation,” Shankar told Timesofindia.com.

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“I am an attacking-style batsman. If given a chance to play up the order, it would be great. I can go and play according to the style which suits me,” he added.

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At the time of the squad announcement last month, Prasad had said that Shankar got the nod ahead of Rayudu due to his ‘three-dimensional’’ abilities. Shankar is delighted with the compliment but is not getting carried away as he said he wants to work on his qualities.

“I have given my best whenever I represented India. I have done well in the recent matches I played for India. I have bowled in (the) death, batted in crucial stages and with time improvised my fielding as well. I always wanted to be a perfect all-rounder and I seriously love being tried in different situations by my captain,” Shankar said.

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“As he (MSK) said, I am a three-dimensional player. I am happy and would like to work on the same for the rest of my career. I want to improve and improve as an all-rounder,” the 28-year-old added.

The World Cup will get underway on May 30. India, however, will open their campaign on June 5 against South Africa.