Vijay Shankar on Thursday mentioned that his resolution to half methods with Tamil Nadu was prompted by an absence of readability and safety concerning his place within the staff.
Most lately, he was dropped from the TNCA President’s XI for the final two of the three group-stage matches within the ongoing Buchi Babu match right here.
“To determine on this was fairly robust, as a result of since my U-13 days, I’ve performed for round 23 years for Tamil Nadu. And since 2011, I’ve been a part of the First-Class staff. So, undoubtedly, it was not a simple name.
“However generally, while you’re compelled to take that decision, you want to transfer on and look out for alternatives. I believe I’ve been enjoying effectively. And extra importantly, I need to play cricket, that’s it. I can’t go on the market and simply sit out and provides water. It’s fairly troublesome after enjoying for thus a few years.
“Final yr, I bought dropped for the primary two Ranji video games, after which I made a comeback. Within the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, once more, I used to be dropped for the final two video games. So, after that, it was fairly robust. However this yr, I assumed issues could be fantastic since I did effectively final yr. You want some readability in some unspecified time in the future. I used to be not getting that readability.
“I by no means bought any safe feeling on the subject of the selectors. So, at one level, I made a decision I wanted to take a name. And I used to be joyful that no less than our coach (M. Senthilnathan) got here up and informed what they (the selectors) have been considering. So, I felt that there was no level staying. And making an attempt to nonetheless combat it out to play on this setup was fairly troublesome,” he mentioned over a cellphone name.
The 34-year-old mentioned that he usually felt the necessity to show himself to the selectors.
“I believe that this has been the case for me. So, that’s why, it was an ideal expertise for me. I might have informed them that I have to bat at a sure batting place. Even in the event you take the final three years, I believe solely in 2022 I batted at one batting place – I batted at No. 6 each sport and I bought three consecutive a whole bunch.
“However after that, from No. 3 to No. 7, I batted all over the place. So, there’s no rationalization to this (why he’s being sidelined). However I can say that each one this stuff have made me a greater cricketer at the moment. It made me actually robust. I used to be all the time ready the place I needed to maintain performing to show issues flawed,” he mentioned.
Speaking about his transfer to hitch Tripura, he mentioned: “I by no means spoke to another Affiliation. It was throughout this Buchi Babu (match) that I spoke to Tripura. I knew they have been searching for knowledgeable. And so they mentioned they have been prepared for it. So, it made issues very straightforward for me.”
Requested for his most cherished reminiscence with the Tamil Nadu staff, he mentioned: “I’d say it was the time I bought my Tamil Nadu cap. It was all the time a dream for me to play for Tamil Nadu. From bowling spin to medium tempo occurred, simply because I wished to get into the Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy aspect. I bought my cap from Bala bhai (L. Balaji) and V.B. sir (V.B. Chandrasekhar) was the coach.
“After which, as captain, I gained three tournaments (Vijay Hazare, Deodhar, and Syed Mushtaq Ali trophies). I believe that’s a really particular factor.”
Printed on Aug 28, 2025