Batting-order versatility has become a significant feature in modern white-ball cricket, and former India all-rounder Vijay Shankar feels players who can fluidly adjust to multiple roles are increasingly essential in a sport driven by situational demands.
Vijay, who has batted for India and the IPL at positions ranging from No. 3 to No. 8, claimed that the development of the game has increased the significance of true all-rounders who can contribute with both bat and ball while adapting to the needs of the team.
Additionally, he emphasized that rather than whining about workload and fitness issues, prospective all-rounders should embrace the responsibilities of the position.
“We as all-rounders can’t blame the workload. We became all-rounders after dealing with double workloads from the beginning. So fast-bowling all-rounders can’t blame any extra workload for their injuries or lack of fitness,” Vijay, who recently retired from Indian domestic cricket, told PTI during an interaction.
Because of their versatility, Vijay believes that all-rounders are both true game-changers and the most adaptable in any setup.
“The beauty of all-rounder is, you know, you bat anywhere and everywhere. So, the thing I had was that I was batting everywhere. I was batting up the order and at times down the order.
“Whatever the team needs, I was very flexible. That was like plus and minus for me. Because individually, I was not able to score bigger runs since I was floating up and down,” Vijay lamented about his brief international career in which he played 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is for the national team.
He remembered his short time with the national squad, when Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri utilized him as a floater. He has played in 78 IPL games.
“The last time I batted for India in T20Is was actually at No. 3 in New Zealand. I have also batted No.7. I have batted No. 5, 6 everywhere. Even in IPL, I have batted from No.3 to No. 8 everywhere. I realised why I got better or why I ended up playing for the country. Because it was very very flexible to bat anywhere,” Vijay cited his attributes as an all-rounder.
Although his selection for the 2019 World Cup was controversial, he did play against Pakistan before his one and only ICC tournament ended due to a toe fracture.
“My international cricket career suffered because of that toe injury (fracture) sustained during the 2019 World Cup. I had a toe fracture when I last played in the World Cup. So, I couldn’t play after that. I was out of cricket for close to a month and a half.”
“So, after that, I just played a couple of India A matches and then didn’t make a comeback. It was actually quite difficult because you need to keep pushing yourself every time that you play. I just feel all those difficult moments have made me a much stronger person,” the batting all-rounder recalled.
He vividly recalls, as if it were yesterday, dismissing Imam ul Haq on the first delivery he bowled during the tournament against fierce rivals Pakistan.
“It was always a dream to play the World Cup. It was always good to had a record like that a first-ball wicket in the World Cup. More than that, I felt I was doing pretty well during my time with the Indian team.”
In the bilateral series before the World Cup, he also recalls defending 10 runs against the formidable Australians.
“I remember bowling the last over against Australia and defending 10 runs in the final over to win for India. And then injuries caused me some setbacks. I had some injuries which I had to deal with. I learnt a lot in that phase. It was a bit difficult. But then, I enjoyed the journey,” he remembered.
Playing for India gave him exposure in addition to his brief time with the senior squad. He would always treasure the experience of going on shadow tours with Rahul Dravid in all of the big cricketing nations.
“I remember playing five years for India A. Travelled almost every country to play India A and did well. My cricketing idol was always Rahul Dravid. I was very fortunate to have played with him and played under him. So, I was very, very happy about that,” the former Tamil Nadu captain said.
Coaching is only a logical next step after earning his Level 2 certification, but because he is only 35, he would prefer to play as a freelancer in overseas leagues first.
“This game has given me a lot. And I need to definitely give something back to the sport. I have done my Level 2 certification as well in coaching through BCCI. And till the time I am fit, I want to play cricket, like competitive cricket.”
“So, that’s the reason why I decided to retire from the domestic circuit. But other than that, definitely coaching is something which is in my mind. I would love to get into coaching a few years later and do the best that I can for cricket.”
He only regrets that he was unable to wear the navy blue India Test cap.
“For me, Test cricket is actually everything. Because my dream was actually to get the Test cap, which I missed very very narrowly. Maybe, the only thing that I will regret.”
