Vijay Shankar announces retirement from all forms of Indian cricket
Vijay Shankar celebrates a wicket during the 2019 ODI World Cup with Virat Kohli (Source: Getty Images)
Published - 22 May 2026, 05:57 PM• Read time - 3 mins
India’s seam-bowling all-rounder Vijay Shankar has announced his retirement from Indian domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL) to seek opportunities in overseas franchise tournaments. Shankar made his international debut in 2018 during a T20I against Sri Lanka and went on to play nine matches in the format.
He also represented the country in 12 ODIs and was famously selected over Ambati Rayudu in the ODI World Cup 2019 squad. In his international career, Shankar scored 324 runs across both formats and scalped nine wickets. He played the majority of his domestic career for Tamil Nadu and even captained them to Vijay Hazare Trophy, Deodhar Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumphs.
He later switched his bases to Tripura ahead of the 2025-26 season and ended his domestic career with a match-winning unbeaten 151* against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year. The innings also earned him the Player-of-the-Match award for guiding Tripura to a four-wicket victory.
Iyer announced his retirement through a post on his social media accounts where he thanked his teammates, family, friends and support staff members, among others, for their valuable contributions throughout his cricketing journey.
"Cricket is my life. I started playing when I was 10 and 25 years later, I am grateful and blessed to have played at every level and to the highest level. Representing our country will always be one of my proudest and happiest moments.
He recalled bowling the match-winning last over against Australia during an ODI in 2019 and his first ball wicket at the World Cup later that year. Shankar also opened up about facing relentless hate throughout his journey and how he chose to ignore it. He signed off, calling himself a 3D cricketer, a term given to him by former chief selector MSK Prasad after his World Cup selection.
"Bowling the last over at India’s 500th ODI at Nagpur and my first ball first wicket at the 2019 World Cup are moments I will hold onto forever! I have faced unreal hate and negativity. Let me take this opportunity to let you know that I chose to ignore and move forward. If I can do that- anyone can! Think positive and work hard. Cricket has taught me life. Cricket is my life," he added.
Shankar's IPL career
In his domestic career, Shankar scored 4253 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 46.73, 2790 List A runs at 34.87, and 2583 T20 runs at an average of 26.09 and a strike rate of 128.37. He also snaffled 154 wickets in 348 games across formats.
Shankar played 78 games in the T20 extravaganza, scoring 1233 runs at an average of 26.23 and a strike rate of 129.78 with seven fifties. He also has nine wickets to his name in his IPL career.
Shankar had a forgettable 2025 season for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he scored 118 runs from five innings at an average of 39.33 and a strike rate of 129.67 with a highest score of 69*. Meanwhile, having retired from Indian cricket, he will now be eligible to ply his trade in foreign leagues.
