Fate is like climate extremely unpredictable. Such is the story of all-rounder Vijay Shankar. He lost his place in the Indian team due to a knee injury in 2016. A determined Vijay Shankar then made a resounding come back to the big stage.
However, it was not meant to be so soon. Shankar struggled in the Nidahas Trophy final and exited the side before making a comeback in 2019 when he made his ODI debut. Some notable performances with both bat and ball meant he impressed the selectors enough to give him a go-ahead for representing the nation at the biggest stage, and Vijay Shankar found himself in the UK, wearing the blue jersey in the 2019 ODI World Cup.
He managed to play only 3 games in that World Cup before getting injured again. Since then he has not featured for the men in blue. His performance seems to be declining in the IPL as well. He struggled to find form in the 2021 IPL.
Injuries were very difficult- Vijay Shankar
Vijay Shankar has suffered quite a lot of injuries throughout his playing career. They have definitely been hard on him and have dented his chances to get into the Indian team.
“It was very difficult, definitely. But if you ask me, from the time I got dropped from the Indian team, it was very difficult. I had another injury and then I was not even closer to getting into the Indian side after that. But if you see the time, I was with the Indian team, I had a decent run. I was contributing in whatever batting order, whatever situation it was.”
“Injuries have played a big part in my career. I don’t see that as something which I can justify, saying I could have done better if I had been fit. I don’t think that is fair to say. Injuries are bound to happen for sportsmen,” Shankar told India Today in a recent chat.
Adding further, Vijay Shankar stressed the importance of staying positive during tough times. The all-rounder from Tamil Nadu stated that selections are not in his hands and he can only push himself to be better every other and that he is pushing himself to achieve that every day.
“It’s about pushing myself harder every day. These things are part of my journey. A lot of negativity creeps in when you’re injured. ‘Whether I will be able to come back? When will I play next?’. Every time, when I have a hamstring injury, there will be a small doubt in whatever you do – ‘What if I get that back again?’.
“But I have always pushed myself harder for the best I can give. The rehab, whatever the small things I do, I will give my best because that’s the only thing I have in my control,” he added.
About his India comeback, he said, “I can’t think of getting into the Indian side, those things are not in my hand. All I can do is prepare hard and try and do well in the matches that I play. I will try to push for that place again. Definitely, whoever has played for that country would love to wear that jersey again. There is no doubt about that. I just felt that when I had a decent run and I was not even considered after that, it was a little disappointing,” he said.
