Vijay Shankar leaves Tamil Nadu in a shock move

In a shock move, just a week after playing for TNCA President’s XI in the Buchi Babu tournament, former Tamil Nadu skipper Vijay Shankar has taken a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the association. He is set to move to Tripura.

It brings the curtain down on his 13-year stint for TN since making his debut for the State in 2011-12 (List-A).

The decision comes in the wake of the 34-year-old being ‘rested’ for the second round of the Buchi Babu match against Maharashtra.

Last year, Vijay Shankar did not play the first two Ranji Trophy matches and also missed a few games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

During the season, the all-rounder spoke about how tough it was to sit out games despite doing well and has now decided to look for a fresh challenge.

In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, he scored 476 runs at an average of 52.88, including two vital centuries against Chhattisgarh and Chandigarh.

Vijay Shankar is the second senior player to leave the State after B. Aparajith joined Kerala last year. The move could be seen as part of the think-tank’s approach to effect a gradual transition.

Vijay Shankar has played 70 First Class matches (including for India-A) and scored 3702 runs at an average of 45.14. He has 11 First Class hundreds. The medium-pacer has also taken 43 wickets.

The all-rounder has been TN’s mainstay in the middle-order since his breakthrough season in the 2014-15 that paved the way for his ascendancy to India-A and the national team.

Vijay also captained the State and led TN to twin one-day titles in the 2016-17 season, winning the Vijay Hazare and Deodhar Trophy. In 2021-22, Vijay also led the team to its third Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 triumph.

Commenting on Vijay Shankar’s decision, head coach M. Senthilnathan said: “He has made immense contributions to TN cricket, and it is appreciated by one and all. Now that he has decided to move away from the State team, we will miss him and wish him the best. At the same time, we have a good talent pool. This now opens up a slot for some of the younger players to grab the opportunity and do well for the team.”