All-rounder Vijay Shankar has announced his retirement from domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League, bringing down the curtain on a career spanning over a decade at the highest levels of Indian cricket.
Sharing the news on his official Instagram account, Shankar wrote: “I have decided to retire from playing domestic cricket and IPL to pursue new opportunities and play more cricket.”
A Tamil Nadu Stalwart
Shankar made his domestic debut for Tamil Nadu in 2012 and represented the state for 13 years before moving to Tripura for the 2025-26 season. His entire age-group journey from the Under-13 level onwards was also with Tamil Nadu. He signs off with 77 first-class appearances to his name, accumulating 4,253 runs and 43 wickets. Across 112 List A fixtures, he scored 2,790 runs and claimed 73 wickets, while his 159 T20 outings yielded 2,583 runs and 38 wickets.
An IPL Journey Across Six Franchises
Shankar’s IPL career began in 2013 with Chennai Super Kings, though he featured in just one game the following year. He later turned out for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017 before finding more consistent runs with Delhi Capitals in 2018, where he scored 212 runs and took one wicket. He returned to SRH for three successive seasons from 2019 to 2021, then featured in Gujarat Titans’ title-winning campaign in 2022, albeit in only four matches.
His standout IPL season with the bat came in 2023, when he amassed 301 runs at a strike rate of 160.10. A homecoming to CSK followed in 2025, but an underwhelming season left him without any takers at the subsequent auction.
International Highs — and a 2019 World Cup Moment
Shankar earned national colours in 2018-19, playing 12 ODIs and nine T20Is for India. He was selected for the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup in England, earmarked for the critical No. 4 batting position, with his medium pace and ability to swing the ball in English conditions also factored into the selection.
He played three matches in the tournament before a net session injury ended his campaign. Yet one moment defined his World Cup replacing Bhuvneshwar Kumar mid-over against Pakistan, he dismissed Imam-ul-Haq off his very first delivery at the tournament.
Reflecting on his international career, Shankar wrote: “Thankful to BCCI and the Indian Cricket Team many learnings, countless memories and various inspirations! Representing the country will be my highest badge of honour. Bowling the last over at India’s 500th ODI at Nagpur and my first ball first wicket at the 2019 World Cup are moments I will hold onto forever.”
The Nagpur ODI he references is a landmark occasion in Indian cricket history Shankar defended 11 runs off the final over against Australia to seal India’s 500th ODI victory.
Addressing Online Hate
Shankar also used his retirement message to speak out against the online abuse he had faced, urging others to rise above negativity. “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. Cricket is life,” he wrote.
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