From Nidahas trophy to Nagpur: The three phases of Vijay Shankar's journey

One year in international cricket can be a very short or a very long time, completely depending on which cricketer you’re talking to. Ask Vijay Shankar this question now, and he’d surely respond that it’s quite a lifetime now.

18th March 2018 is a day which Shankar would probably wish to delete from his memories. In the steamy cauldron of the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo which was hosting the finals of the Nidahas Trophy, India was chasing a tricky 167 run target set by Bangladesh.

Shankar, who had a decent tournament with the ball until the final, walked out to bat with the score reading 98/4 in the 14th over, for the very first time in international cricket. This type of situation can overwhelm many big cricketers, let alone a newcomer, and safe to say, Shankar didn’t have the best of times in the middle.

Confronted with the cutter specialist Mustafizur Rahman in the 18th over of the game with India requiring 35 from the last 3 overs, Shankar collapsed. He couldn’t pick the cutters being bowled by 'The Fizz' and let go a wicket maiden over, as his partner Manish Pandey perished on the last delivery of the over.

Despite the heroics of his state-mate and friend Dinesh Karthik, who took India home with a barnstorming 29* from only 8 deliveries, it was Shankar who was subjected to abuse from all quarters, especially on social media. His 17 (19) in the final, would remain his kryptonite if one was to believe.

#1 Shining at domestic games after the horror at Nidahas:

Vijay Shankar playing domestic cricket

Cue to 2019 and to New Zealand, where the India A team was on tour and had a 3-match unofficial Test and ODI series scheduled against a strong New Zealand A team. It was around that time that the coach Rahul Dravid and his staff told Vijay Shankar that he’s their side's designated finisher and was to bat at either the number 5 or number 6 slot. This confidence being instilled in him reflected in his showing in the ODI series, where Shankar had match-winning contributions in all the games.

#2 ODI debut and further progress:

He made the ODI debut against Australia

The Hardik Pandya “Koffee Gate” happened and Vijay Shankar was asked to link-up with the Indian ODI team in Australia, and in the series-deciding 3rd ODI at the MCG, he was handed his ODI debut.

Shankar was only required to bowl in that game and that he did well, with 0/23 in 6 tidy overs. It was not until the final ODI of the New Zealand series did Shankar get an opportunity to bat. With the score reading a perilous 18/4, Shankar rebuilt the innings in a 98-run stand with Ambati Rayudu, before being run-out for 45.

He looked really good for the big score during that match. Also, further promising showings in the T20 series meant that he had booked his ticket for the Australia ODI series at home. He didn’t have much to show for in the Hyderabad game, except for his stupendous catch to dismiss Usman Khawaja. At Nagpur though, the story was completely different for Shankar.

#3 Turning into a hero at Nagpur:

He turned to be a hero at Nagpur

Vijay Shankar once again displayed his ability to make adversity his friend. Promoted to bat at number 5 with the score reading 75/3 and the run-rate hovering around 4, Shankar displayed his cricketing nous to stunning effect.

He kept the scoring rate ticking over with captain Virat Kohli at the other end with a bunch of singles and doubles, and took full toll of the bad deliveries by hammering them to the boundary. Batting on an attractive-looking 46 from just 41 deliveries, an unfortunate run-out detonated his promising knock, but whispers were already abounding on social media platforms that he could be looked into as a more durable option at number 4 instead of Ambati Rayudu.

But his job wasn’t yet over for the day. With Australia chasing 251 on a slightly tacky pitch, the Indian bowlers had dragged them back into the game at a point where the Aussies were in cruise control of the match.

Australia needed 11 runs in the last over with 2 wickets in hand and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis going strong at the crease. Confronted with a lack of options, Kohli turned to Shankar, whose only over in the game had leaked 13 runs.

This was a gamble which could’ve backfired spectacularly for India, but clearly, this was a man who had a stream of confidence running through him. On the very first delivery, Shankar struck gold and picked up Marcus Stoinis as his first-ever ODI wicket with an LBW decision and then two balls later, he killed the game with a pin-point yorker to dismiss Adam Zampa, to cap off his best-ever display in his limited international career.

Shankar’s journey over the last year has taken him from being the metaphorical villain to India’s latest hero. Talk about life going a full circle.