"The best part for me was the team's trust" - Vijay Shankar speaks about his turnaround in form this season

Gujarat Titans (GT) middle-order batter Vijay Shankar spoke about his turnaround in form this season after a disappointing IPL 2022. Shankar spoke after the team's six-wicket win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Bangalore on Sunday, May 21.

The right-handed batter scored a brilliant 53 off 35 deliveries, helping GT win their final league stage match ahead of the playoffs.

The 32-year-old has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 287 runs at an average of 41 and a strike rate of 161.24.

Speaking to the official IPL social media handle, Vijay Shankar credited the franchise's trust for his turnaround in performance this season.

"It was just my mental shift," Shankar said. "Last year after IPL i realised I was carrying some injury, I was not able to bat, not able to get my bat swing. Once I did my surgery, started playing domestic and did well. So when I came here, the best part for me was the team's trust. They gave me that feel and for me to come here and do it for the team feels really good."

Vijay Shankar was bought by the Gujarat franchise in the mega auction ahead of the 2022 season for ₹1.40 crores.

However, injuries and poor form meant that the all-rounder featured in just four games, scoring 19 runs at an average of 4.75.

After terrific seasons in 2017 and 2018, Shankar was part of India's ODI World Cup squad in 2019. However, he has struggled in the IPL since, averaging less than 20 with the bat in over 33 games.

His return to top form this season has been a key for GT as they finished on top of the points table for a second straight season.

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"I think we were always at par with the required run rate" - Vijay Shankar on his match-winning partnership with Shubman Gill vs RCB

Vijay Shankar and Shubman Gill's partnership powered GT to a thrilling win over RCB

Gujarat Titans all-rounder Vijay Shankar spoke about maintaining a healthy run rate throughout as the key to his match-winning partnership with in-form opener Shubman Gill against the Royal Challengers.

The pair put on 123 runs off just 71 balls for the second wicket, ensuring GT stayed ahead of the required rate to eventually win comfortably with six wickets and five balls to spare.

Speaking after the win, Shankar said of his partnership with Gill:

"It was good to have that partnership because we were discussing a lot and we wanted to take it deep and I think we were always at par with the required run rate."

I think we've played two three innings now, we dint have that big partnership but this was at a time when we needed to get that partnership and we got it and we eventually won it," he added.

Vijay Shankar, who struck two huge sixes in his innings to take his tally for the year to 16, spoke about his ability to hit big sixes.

"I've been practising hard with side arm and also with the bowlers, trying to set myself up and then generate power," he added.

With the win, GT finished on top of the points table for a second straight season with 20 points in 14 games.

They will take on four-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier One in Chennai on Tuesday, May 23.