Of discovering a passion for athletics and maintaining it dull: The motto of Vijay Shankar

For Tamil Nadu, the 2023–24 season has been something of a rollercoaster. They advanced to the Vijay Hazare knockout stage after a dismal Syed Mushtaq Ali, but once again, the tale didn’t end there as they lost to Gujarat in the first Ranji Trophy match.

Tamil Nadu was under pressure heading into the match against Railways, given that the previous match against Tripura was tied despite the first innings being left incomplete. They did, however, ultimately prevail and earn their first victory of the competition thanks to N Jagadeesan and the spinners stepping up. All-rounder Vijay Shankar, a senior, stresses the significance of winning your first game of the season. “It is crucial; only then will the squad feel much more safe. Thus, we are happy right now,” he adds in a Star Sports-facilitated conversation.

While acknowledging that the journey has been rather rocky, Vijay said that, despite doing a few things well, the outcomes have not gone their way. Ranji is a very long season, so we have to keep doing it. It just takes one game to decide this. We are only getting started; many new players have already participated, and many find it challenging. Everybody’s career involves these aspects. Simply said, everything we do is done with the team in mind. Jaggi was incredible when he struck a double hundred against Railways in the previous game. On the second day, the surface was difficult to bat on, but he batted well to help us to a fantastic total. It’s not like everyone gets set every game; it’s just that whomever gets set that day, if he can go big, that’s wonderful.”

In terms of his personal life, Vijay had a prosperous 2023 going into 2024. He had impressive cameos in the IPL last season, smashing 301 runs at 37.63 average and 160.11 strike rate for Gujarat Titans, after scoring 483 runs at 53.66 previous year, including three hundreds in the Ranji Trophy. However, this season has not been the same for him. In four innings, he has amassed 108 runs and is undefeated at fifty against Tripura.

But Vijay isn’t very concerned about the outcome. He thinks everything will work out if he follows the planning and procedure that first brought him success. He has nonetheless put in the yardage to be ready if and when the team needs him, even if he isn’t bowling as often.”I continue to bowl every session because I should be there when the moment comes. I must continue working to cover every facet of the game so that you will be prepared when it occurs. If my work opportunity arises, I want to be prepared for it; if not, it won’t. I had a really difficult path and have never been one to take things lightly, whether they injuries or anything else. It hasn’t been simple. I have gained a great deal of knowledge from cricket, including the actual art of living. Put forth your best effort each day and never give up; everything will work itself out.”

Being turned on, able to move between formats, and taking on whatever role the team wants him to at this point in his career is never simple for someone who has been in the game for more than ten years. However, the 32-year-old credits his ability to adjust to his “boring preparation” for his success in a variety of situations last year. He sums it up as playing the sport for enjoyment and not getting too worked up by setbacks.

“I have a lot of frustrations and feel like I could have done this or that, but when you look at what I have, you realize that I just have this much control over cricket—I can only play every day and practice batting, bowling, and fitness. I do the necessary preparations whether I have the opportunity or not. Ultimately, all I have to do is reflect on my initial motivation for taking up cricket. It is only a passion for the game. Many disappointments related to choices or other things may come to mind, and they will, but we cannot keep using it as an excuse. I will not benefit from it, and if you focus on learning every day, everything will work out, says Vijay.

Looking a bit farther forward, Tamil Nadu has been the dominant force in white-ball cricket for some time now. Many of its players have advanced to play for the national team and the Indian Premier League. Vijay’s state colleague B Sai Sudharsan, who just made his ODI debut in South Africa, was the most recent to get that elevation. Ever then, the child has been the center of attention, with every act being captured on camera.

According to Vijay, a player shouldn’t be evaluated based just on one or two innings once they reach that level. There will be more days when you fail than triumph in a team sport, he claims. It’s not like you will score runs ten times out of ten just because you play for India or India A. Cricket is a game where there will be times when you will lose two or three innings or have a lean patch. A single setback won’t define a player who has advanced to that level. Once again, you must adhere to your regimen and procedure and never give up. There will be moments when it becomes monotonous, but you won’t have a choice but to continue.”

The 32-year-old believes that all Tamil Nadu has to do is keep doing what they do well, and the benefits will follow. “In the end, I think the reason the outcomes haven’t gone our way is because. Although the outcome has not gone our way, we have made progress. The previous season saw four or five batsmen hit more than 500 runs and a few bowlers claim 25–30 wickets. Definitely, we ought to continue doing it. It won’t take place immediately. We cannot consider qualifying if we do well in a single match since it is a drawn-out process. You will get there eventually; it’s simply a question of one game at a time,” he said.