Vijay Shankar credits his comeback into the Indian limited-over squad to two factors.
Firstly, he has learnt to enjoy his cricket following the advice of his Chennai coach S. Balaji, than put pressure on himself. It was a clever mental switch.
Then, the confidence shown in him by India-A coach Rahul Dravid, who sent Vijay Shankar at No. 5 during stiff chases against New Zealand-A, instilled belief in him apart from giving the allrounder responsibility.
Vijay Shankar responded with a match-winning 87 off 80 deliveries against New Zealand-A — the target was 309 — in the first one-dayer at Mount Maunganui.
Then he came up with a 56-ball 59 as India, pursuing 300, sealed the one-day series at the same venue.
Credits Dravid
“By sending me in at No 5, Dravid sir got me really motivated. He gave me the chance to express myself,” Vijay Shankar told The Hindu on Sunday.
And, all along, Vijay Shankar has sent down his seamers usefully. He operates around 130 kmph, keeps it in the right areas and does achieve some bounce with his height and high-arm action and seam movement.
Vijay Shankar is expected to reach Australia in time for the second ODI in Adelaide on Tuesday.
He said, “This is my first trip to Australia and I am excited. I missed an India-A tour of Australia some years ago because of an injury.”
Familiar with conditions
Vijay Shankar said, “I am familiar with the conditions in New Zealand. On the-A tour, we faced some very good fast bowlers in Doug Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, James Neesham, and Hamish Bennett, all of them have played for New Zealand.”
Vijay Shankar had performed capably in the first class leg of the New Zealand-A tour too with innings of 62 at Mount Maunganui and 71 Whangarei. And whenever given the ball, he bowled with control if not explosive speed.
The 27-year-old allrounder said, “I am fitter and mentally stronger now. I always believed I had the skill-set. I am looking forward to fitting into the Indian team and making contributions that help the side’s cause.”
In the shorter formats, Vijay Shankar has improved his ball-striking ability by practicing against the robotstick — a flexible rod that can hold and release [manually] the ball at great speeds — and employing range-hitting; a centre-wicket practice where distant parts of the boundary ropes are targeted and cleared.
Vijay Shankar is firmly focused but wants to “live the moment rather than being consumed by it” and seeks to “enjoy every bit of his cricket.”
