Vijay Shankar Looking To Make Mark With The Ball

Vijay Shankar’s career is now very much on the right track. About a year ago, the allrounder was facing criticism from all over after his disastrous batting in the final of the Nidahas Trophy that nearly cost India the game. But strings of impressive performances for India A helped him earn a recall from the Indian team during the tour of Australia and New Zealand and Shankar grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

He made his ODI debut during the Australia series and impressed one and all with his performances. The Tamil Nadu allrounder made it clear that he can do well even in the testing conditions. His innings in the fifth ODI against New Zealand was one of the best from the Indian batsmen on the tour. Shankar had played the lead role to pick India out of the pits from 18 for 4 with a 98-run fifth-wicket partnership with Ambati Rayudu. He then impressed with his hard-hitting abilities during the T20Is.

But amidst all this, his bowling took the back seat. Shankar got very little opportunity to bowl in the ODI series and wasn’t needed at all in the three-match T20I series. He bowled a total of 16 overs, conceding at 4.87 in four ODIs he played in Australia and New Zealand. Well, the allrounder is now eyeing to make a mark with the ball in the upcoming series against Australia after retaining his place in the ODI team.

“Last time, when I was playing in the Nidahas Trophy, my mindset was to pick wickets. In the recent times, I was much more restrictive mentally. I was just thinking about putting the balls in the good areas. Maybe, in the Australia series, I will look to express myself a lot more if I get to bowl,” Vijay Shankar told indiatoday.in.

“I think a lot about my own game. I will try and observe a lot about others. While doing so, I felt I was restricting myself a little.

“I was happy with my pace but I can bowl much quicker than what I bowled there [New Zealand]. As I told you, I was much more restrictive. For instance, I was using the short-ball, which I believe is my strength, very well in the Nidahas Trophy. But recently, I didn’t use the short-ball. I didn’t try any variation. I just thought I should hit the right spots. That was my mindset,” he added.

The series will start on March 2. Prior to that, India and Australia will play two T20Is, starting from February 24.