It will affect my game if I think about competing with Hardik Pandya: Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar was a part of India’s World Cup squad until an ankle injury cut short his journey. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder, since then, has failed to cement his place in the national side and his prime competitor for the all-rounder’s spot in the side is Hardik Pandya. Despite Pandya’s absence in the team due to injury, Shankar failed to bounce back into the Men in Blue squad due to the emergence of Shivam Dube.

Shankar, in a recent interview, said that he is unfazed by the fact that Hardik Pandya is currently the preferred all-rounder in white-ball format for India.

According to Shankar, his prime focus is to deliver match-winning performances to make his presence felt. However, as Pandya is fit again, Shankar will probably have to wait a little longer to return into the national squad.

“If it starts affecting me (that Hardik is the No 1 choice) then I will lose out on games that I have with me. If I focus on the games that I have and have match-winning performances, then my name will be there in the circuit (reckoning),” said Vijay Shankar as quoted by India Today.

“If I perform, people will talk about me and if some opportunity arises, I will be getting into the Indian side. So I can’t think about what other players are doing,” he added.

My dream is to prolong my international career: Vijay Shankar

Shankar also added that his dream is not to linger in the national side as a mere survivor. He said that he wants to deliver consistent performances to prolong his international career.

“My dream is not just to get there and be a mere survivor. Only if I excel, can I prolong my international career. It’s important for us to be at our best when we go to the international level.”

The Tamil Nadu all-rounder also stressed on having a fixed batting position. According to the 29-year-old, he would perform exceedingly well if he bats at No.3 or No.4 position for Team India.

“Over the years, if you see, I have batted in all middle-order slots and adapted to the needs of the team. However, when people ask me what my goal is, I tell them for that I need to have a fixed batting position. If I bat at Number 3 or 4, then only can I think about all these goals,” he said.