All-rounder Vijay Shankar, who has made vital contributions with the bat (106 n.o., 76, 150 n.o.) for Tamil Nadu on its road to the quarterfinals in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, said he was extremely disappointed when he was dropped for the first two matches versus Saurashtra and Delhi.
“I felt very bad for not playing. After playing for so many years, to sit out was tough. Especially, when I felt I was fit. But sometimes, teams can’t do anything. I was able to hold out because of the immense respect and belief I have in Bala bhai (head coach L. Balaji).
“Even when it comes to my bowling, if you see, it’s not like I bowl regularly. I bowl only when things are out of hand. After playing for so many years, it’s quite tough to keep doing that. But I have to. Few players have to go through all these things.
“In T20s (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy), if you see, I did really well. Two games, I didn’t do well. And we didn’t qualify. So, the easiest thing was to drop me and let the youngsters play. But for a player, it’s very hard to take that. Especially, for someone who runs from long on to long on in every T20 game, and goes and stands at every important position. And again, in T20s, I had to bowl only when it was needed. I was not bowling every game. But when it’s needed, I have to do that.
“So, for someone who is always open to doing everything and to still go through all these things, is very tough. I just hope no one goes through this, because it’s really tough for a player.
“I’m averaging somewhere around 46 (45.93) in first-class cricket now. I think it’s a very good average for a player who’s been batting up and down.
“So, yes, it’s been tough. It’s been difficult. But it feels good to come out of all these things and still try and give my best,” he said after Tamil Nadu lost to Jharkhand in Group D in the final round at the Keenan stadium here.
The 34-year-old hopes to make a comeback to the India squad, but expressed displeasure about not getting selected for the Duleep Trophy even when he does well.
“I just hope I make my comeback at some time. The disappointing part is that I’ve still not played even a single Duleep Trophy game – even after getting three consecutive hundreds in domestic cricket (2022-23 Ranji season). So, I don’t know, sometimes you need that extra bit of thing where you get to put yourself at least in that situation for you to get picked.
“Two years ago, it was the State selectors who had to select the Duleep Trophy sides. I had a very good IPL too at that time. But I didn’t play Duleep or Deodhar Trophy.
“Then, a National selector told me: ‘See, you’re not even being picked in Duleep Trophy. So, we can’t consider you for the higher thing,’” he said.
