Vijay Shankar retires from Indian cricket after 25-year journey
Synopsis
Vijay Shankar's retirement closes a 25-year arc that went from Tamil Nadu league cricket to the 2019 World Cup — a career marked by a controversial selection call, a toe injury that ended his biggest tournament, and quiet consistency in domestic cricket that earned him three major titles as captain.
Key Takeaways
Vijay Shankar announced retirement from all forms of Indian cricket on 22 May .
He played 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is for India, scoring 324 runs and taking 9 wickets .
He featured in 78 IPL matches for CSK , SRH , Delhi Capitals , and Gujarat Titans , winning the IPL title with GT in 2022 .
Shankar captained Tamil Nadu to the Vijay Hazare , Deodhar , and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy titles.
A toe injury at the 2019 World Cup ended his tournament after three matches , with Mayank Agarwal replacing him.
All-rounder Vijay Shankar on Friday, 22 May announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket, closing a 25-year playing career that took him from Tamil Nadu league cricket to the 2019 Men's ODI World Cup. The Chennai-based cricketer represented India in both white-ball formats, playing 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is, before carving out a long and decorated domestic career.
Career in Numbers
Across his 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is for India, Shankar accumulated 324 runs and claimed 9 wickets. His most prominent international moment came at the 2019 World Cup, where he was controversially preferred over Ambati Rayudu in the squad. He played three matches in the tournament before a toe injury cut his campaign short, with Mayank Agarwal called up as his replacement.
Notably, Shankar bowled the final over at India's 500th ODI in Nagpur and claimed a first-ball wicket on his 2019 World Cup debut — two moments he cited as among the most cherished of his career.
Domestic and IPL Legacy
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shankar featured in 78 matches across four franchises — Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat Titans (GT). He was part of Gujarat Titans' title-winning squad in 2022.
On the domestic circuit, Shankar captained Tamil Nadu to titles in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In his final domestic season, he turned out for Tripura. He also represented league sides including Indian Bank, ICF, India Cements, and Take Solutions in the Tamil Nadu cricket league.
Shankar's Retirement Note
In a heartfelt message shared on his social media accounts, Shankar wrote: 'Cricket is my life. I started playing when I was 10, and 25 years later, I am grateful and blessed to have played at every level and to the highest level. Representing our country will always be one of my proudest and happiest moments.'
He added: 'I have decided to retire from playing domestic cricket and IPL to pursue new opportunities and play more cricket.' Shankar signed off by calling himself a '3D Cricketer' and acknowledged the 'unreal hate and negativity' he faced during his career, urging others to 'think positively and work hard.'
He also expressed gratitude to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), his coaches, support staff, family, and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), where he progressed through every age-group level from under-13 to the senior men's team.
What Comes Next
Shankar has indicated he intends to 'pursue new opportunities and play more cricket,' leaving open the possibility of involvement in franchise leagues or coaching roles. His retirement marks the end of a career defined as much by resilience through adversity as by his contributions on the field.
Point of View
And his subsequent toe injury ensured the argument was never settled on the field. What often goes unnoticed is the domestic record: three major titles as Tamil Nadu captain is a genuinely elite achievement. Shankar's retirement note, which openly acknowledges 'unreal hate and negativity,' is a rare moment of candour from a cricketer who spent much of his career navigating public scrutiny that outweighed his actual playing time at the top level.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Vijay Shankar retire from cricket?
Vijay Shankar announced on 22 May that he is retiring from domestic cricket and the IPL to 'pursue new opportunities and play more cricket.' He did not specify a single reason, but his statement reflected a sense of closure after 25 years in the game.
How many international matches did Vijay Shankar play for India?
Vijay Shankar played 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is for India, scoring 324 runs in total and taking 9 wickets across both formats.
What was Vijay Shankar's role in the 2019 ODI World Cup?
Shankar was controversially selected ahead of Ambati Rayudu for the 2019 World Cup squad. He played three matches before a toe injury forced him out of the tournament, with Mayank Agarwal called in as his replacement.
Which IPL teams did Vijay Shankar play for?
Shankar represented four IPL franchises across 78 matches: Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat Titans. He was part of Gujarat Titans' title-winning squad in 2022.
What did Vijay Shankar achieve in domestic cricket?
Shankar captained Tamil Nadu to titles in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He also played for Tripura in his final domestic season and represented multiple Tamil Nadu league sides over his career.
