Vijay Shankar, the Hyderabad team member in an interview with ESPNCricinfo, spoke about dealing with injury, age factor and his IPL career. He also explained how he likes to approach the game.
On injuries and career
Vijay Shankar told that he has been responsible for what he has done so far. While speaking about his T20 career of 98 matches, he said, “Actually, this number [100] was in my mind when I joined the Tamil Nadu team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy in January. I was thinking of playing my 100th T20 game, but then I totally forgot about it.” He added, I think most of my lows came around my injuries, which set me back in whatever I was working on, but I learnt how to come out of it and handle these situations. So, playing my 100th T20 game will definitely be a good thing for me. I think I’ve also played 90 [88] List A matches, so I thought I would get close to 100 in that as well.”
He was obviously asked being injury prone in recent years. He said, “I had to wait for my opportunity to get into the Indian side. And then injuries and all… These were all great challenges for me and I just thought I should focus on things I can control: my practice and training. Every time I come out of an injury, I’ve always focused on my own thing rather than what’s happening outside. That’s one thing that made me push myself. I don’t really compare myself with others and I don’t think about what others are doing. For me it was important to get better as a cricketer.”
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On batting approaches and IPL 2021
Shankar opined that he prepares for two to three different situation so that it becomes easier to deal the same. “With all the data available, it has given us a lot of cues on how we can approach a game. I haven’t had any set batting position as such. For example, even last year [at Sunrisers Hyderabad], I batted at No. 5, No. 7, No. 4 when early wickets fell. In the previous season, I’ve batted at No. 3. So, with these cues, all you can prepare for is what best you can do when you walk into that particular situation. I try to [imagine] two, three different situations, prepare for it, so that when I go in, it is easier for me. I’ve learnt this over a period of time.”
Speaking on preparing for this IPL, Shankar informed, “In the last few months, pretty much all the training facilities and gyms have reopened in Chennai. There was a facility called Throttle, where I had enough space to practice and had net bowlers to bowl to me. I really have to thank all those who helped me out because it was really, really hot. My coach also came and stood there in the [mid-day] sun, so it’s important for me to do well. That’s the only way I can give back.”
“As a player, you will want to push yourself for a comeback, but I want to do it the other way. I don’t want to put myself under pressure to perform or get back into the Indian team. I just want to enjoy the game and I feel I’ve done really well when I’ve enjoyed every small thing I do. The end result will take care of itself. So, whatever happens, I’m ready to take it.”, added Shankar
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