In a significant breakthrough before the 2025-26 Indian domestic cricket season, veteran all-rounder Vijay Shankar has left Tamil Nadu, his state team. The 34-year-old has received a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), ending a 13-year journey of domestic triumph and captaincy.
Last-Minute Switch Brought About by Limited Opportunities
While Vijay played for the TNCA President’s XI in the first round of the Buchi Babu Tournament against Himachal Pradesh, his exclusion from the second match against Maharashtra raised eyebrows. Sources had affirmed that his choice to change states was mainly driven by a need for a more regular run of matches through formats.
In the 2024-25 domestic season, Vijay was benched for Tamil Nadu’s first Ranji Trophy matches and sat out much of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
A Storied Domestic Career for Tamil Nadu
Vijay Shankar made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2012 and eventually became a mainstay middle-order player, replacing S Badrinath. With B Indrajith, he bolstered Tamil Nadu’s batting department.
Vijay Shankar’s Ranji Stats with Tamil Nadu:
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Matches: 81 innings
Runs: 3142
Average: 44.25
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Centuries/Fifties: 11/16
Wickets: 43 at 53.93 average
His first big season was in 2014-15 when he scored 577 runs at an average of 57.70, earning him a place in India A and ultimately a place in India’s 2019 ODI World Cup team. In the 2024-25 Ranji season, he hit a career-high 150 off 171 balls* against Chandigarh, reaffirming his worth as a solid run-scorer.
Reinventing His Game: From Medium-Pacer to Mystery Spinner
In an attempt to extend his career, Vijay Shankar supplemented his repertoire with mystery spin in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). With the help of close associate Varun Chakravarthy, he started bowling carrom balls and wrong’uns, an unexpected but successful shift from his previous medium-fast bowling. These new abilities might be crucial for his new state side, although that is yet to be officially announced.
Another Exit: B Aparajith Joins Kerala
Vijay’s exit comes in the wake of a similar move made by his TNPL teammate and erstwhile Tamil Nadu skipper B Aparajith, who shifted to Kerala prior to the 2024-25 season. These consecutive exits have been a cause for concern over Tamil Nadu’s depth and handling of players in the wake of the new season.
TN’s Rebuilding Phase: Youth and Injuries Define the Journey Ahead
In Vijay Shankar’s absence, Tamil Nadu have signed up RS Ambrish, an 18-year-old India U-19 allrounder from Bengaluru who has a reputation for finishing games and hard-length bowling. He has already made an impression at the CSK academy, bowling to Ruturaj Gaikwad in preparation for the Buchi Babu Tournament.
The team, though, has a few issues:
R Sai Kishore is recuperating from a hand injury. S Ajith Ram, a top performer in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy, is also sidelined with a long-term injury. To steer this transitional phase, M Senthilnathan has been appointed as the new head coach, replacing L Balaji. Former India seamer T Kumaran, who recently coached in the USA, returns as the bowling coach.
A New Chapter Begins for Vijay Shankar
Vijay Shankar leaving Tamil Nadu marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new age in his cricketing career. With experience to spare, form recently, and an overhauled skillset, he is still an asset to any team he chooses to play for next.
For Tamil Nadu, the attention now turns to rebuilding with the young ones, adjusting to injuries, and building a solid core under fresh leadership. The 2025-26 domestic season is sure to be an important test for both sides of this significant transition.
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