'If Not for Him, I Wouldn’t Have Been Playing Here' Vijay Shankar Thanks Veteran for Believing in Him
Vijay Shankar has been prolific so far in IPL 2023 (IPLT20.com)
Gujarat Titans' (GT) all-rounder, Vijay Shankar has expressed his gratitude towards head coach Ashish Nehra for exhibiting faith in him despite a lacklustre start to his career with the franchise last year.
After only managing to score 19 runs in four matches in the previous season, Shankar has made a tremendous comeback and amassed 205 runs from eight matches in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) at a blistering strike-rate 158.91.
Shankar acknowledged Nehra's positive influence on both himself and the team, attributing his own success to the former fast bowler's down-to-earth approach. Speaking to News18 in an interview, the lanky all-rounder commended Nehra's ability to articulate his thoughts in a way that is easily comprehensible to his players.
"To be very honest, the season that I had last year, for me to be retained and then play and do well, a lot of credit must go to him. If not for him, I wouldn’t have been playing here. You can actually see that he has played a lot of cricket. Whatever he speaks, he explains and expresses it in such a way that we understand," said Shankar.
The 32-year-old also praised the Indian veteran's boundless energy and inclusive attitude towards every member of the Gujarat Titans team, including the captain and net bowlers. He recounted how, during his first meeting with Nehra, the former fast bowler had emphasized that all players, regardless of their roles, were to be treated equally and given an opportunity to contribute.
"He finds a way to get everyone involved in the game and on the same page. Be it the captain or net bowler. All are equal. The last year, the first time we met, that was the first thing he said, ‘no captain, no net bowler. All are equal,” added the Tamil Nadu based cricketer.
While fans speculate about his potential selection for the upcoming ODI World Cup, Shankar remains focused on improving his work ethic and letting his performance speak for itself. He believes that if he continues to stay on the right path and maintain his current form, his selection for the tournament will happen automatically.
"I am not thinking much of it honestly because it’s a long way from here, and if I keep doing what I am doing, things will eventually happen,” concluded Shankar.
The all-rounder’s next challenge will be against the Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday, 7 May, as he aims to continue his impressive run in the IPL.
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