‘I can’t sit outside and drink water’, Vijay Shankar broke silence on leaving Tamil Nadu

By Cross Talk India Team Last updated Aug 30, 2025

All -rounder Vijay Shankar, who is out of the Indian cricket team, has finally ended his 13 -year journey with Tamil Nadu. Before the upcoming domestic season, he decided to join the Tripura team and also put forward the real reason for this change. Shankar, who has been playing continuously for Tamil Nadu since 2012, reported that the selectors’ neglect and the disappointment of repeatedly excluding the team forced him to take this difficult decision.

He said that despite good performances for years, he was not given enough opportunities and often had to sit on the bench. The 34 -year -old player has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from TNCA (Tamil Nadu Cricket Association), after which he made up his mind to start a new journey.

In an interview to The Hindu, he clearly said, “Sometimes you have to take a big step in compulsion. I believe that my form is fine and I still have a passion for cricket. But only after playing so many years, it becomes very difficult to sit and feed water. I want to play, contribute.”

Speaking further, he said, “I was dropped from the first two matches of the Ranji Trophy last year. After that Syed Mushtaq Ali did not get a place in the last two matches. Constant decisions made me feel insecure. Trust and stability is necessary for the player, but I never got this security.”

Shankar, who gave 3,142 runs at an average of 44.25 in 81 Ranji innings and three domestic titles to the team, believes that despite so many achievements, he had to face the challenge to prove himself again and again. Now Vijay Shankar will be seen playing for Tripura with senior players like Hanuma Vihari. He says that a fixed batting order and lack of permanent role in Tamil Nadu affected his performance, and that is why he decided to start this new career chapter.