Vijay Shankar has announced his retirement from playing Indian domestic cricket and the IPL, bringing an end to a career that spanned domestic pathways and multiple franchise stints. The right-handed all-rounder said he now wants to explore fresh chances in franchise leagues beyond India, after last appearing for India at the 2019 World Cup.
Quick facts
- Vijay Shankar retires from domestic cricket and the IPL.
- He was part of India’s 2019 World Cup squad.
- His last international appearance came during the 2019 World Cup against West Indies in Manchester, cut short by a toe injury.
- In the IPL, he played for Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans across different seasons.
- He was with CSK in 2014 and 2025 (as part of the IPL timeline mentioned), with SRH from 2017 to 2021, DC in 2018, and GT from 2022 to 2024.
- He went unsold in the latest IPL auction and did not play this season for any team.
Shankar’s international run ended after the toe problem disrupted his 2019 campaign. He did not return to the national setup afterwards and, over time, slipped further from contention. Despite that, his domestic and franchise contributions remained a key part of his cricketing identity.
In the IPL, he wore four different franchise colours at various stages. He was part of Chennai Super Kings in 2014 and later again in 2025, while his most sustained spell came with Sunrisers Hyderabad between 2017 and 2021. He also represented Delhi Capitals in 2018 before moving to Gujarat Titans, where he played from 2022 through 2024.
Heartfelt farewell
Alongside the retirement announcement, Shankar shared a personal message describing cricket as central to his life. He said he began playing at the age of 10 and, after 25 years, expressed gratitude for having competed at every level, including the highest stage of representing his country.
He explained that he has decided to step away from domestic cricket and the IPL to pursue new opportunities while continuing to play more cricket elsewhere. In his note, he also said “thank you” would not be enough to capture the depth of what the sport has given him, calling himself eternally grateful.
Shankar also thanked the BCCI for the chance to play international cricket, listing his India numbers as 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is. He highlighted memorable milestones, including bowling the last over during India’s 500th ODI at Nagpur and the significance of his first ball and first wicket at the 2019 World Cup.
He extended specific recognition to his IPL franchises—Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals—saying the teams were special for him and deserved a dedicated thank-you.
Beyond franchises, Shankar looked back at his journey through Tamil Nadu’s domestic setup, revisiting the tournament platforms that shaped his early years and sustained his career. He thanked the people around him across the ecosystem, including coaches, support staff, physiotherapists, trainers, mentors, and even groundsmen, while also acknowledging media and press friends who followed his journey.
In the same emotional note, he credited his nutritionist and doctors and called out the role of mentors, including his mental conditioning coach. He also reserved special words for family and friends, saying their loyalty carried him “through literally thick and thin.”
He further expressed affection for the TNPL, mentioning teams including CSG, IDTT and SS, and described playing with TN talent as something he loved. He said his most prestigious Tamil Nadu league teams included Indian Bank, ICF, India Cements and Take Solutions—where he believed the story began and continued over the years.
Handling criticism
Shankar also addressed the negativity and criticism he claimed to have faced during his career. He said he chose to ignore it and move forward rather than react, insisting that if he could do it, anyone could. He added a message of staying positive and working hard, framing cricket as a teacher of life as much as it was a sport.
He closed by reinforcing the idea that cricket is his life, and signed off as a “3D cricketer,” Vijay Shankar.
Across a career lasting more than a decade, Shankar played 77 First-Class matches, 112 List A games and 159 T20 appearances after debuting in 2012. In the longest format, he scored 4,253 runs at an average of 46.73, including 13 centuries and 23 half-centuries, and added 43 wickets with the ball.
In List A cricket, he amassed 2,790 runs at 34.87 with two hundreds and 15 fifties, while also taking 73 wickets. His record across formats reflected balance with bat and ball, and the consistency he built in domestic cricket helped establish his reputation over time.
In T20 cricket, he remained a dependable presence, contributing experience and depth across 159 matches. With his retirement now confirmed for domestic cricket and the IPL, Shankar will be remembered for the all-round impact he delivered in India’s domestic system and in franchise cricket’s most demanding spotlight.
