Vijay Shankar set to undergo tests at the NCA to his injured toe

Vijay Shankar didn’t have the greatest of outings in the 2019 World Cup. The all-rounder played only three games after which he, unfortunately, developed a toe fracture and was subsequently ruled out of the mega event in England and Wales. Karnataka batsman Mayank Agarwal was called upon as his replacement. The 28-year-old Shankar could only manage 58 runs and a couple of wickets.

Shankar was struck on the left toe by a yorker from Jasprit Bumrah during a net session. He was picked in the squad ahead of the likes of Ambati Rayudu, but fate had something cruel in store for him. Following his exclusion, Rishabh Pant got a chance in the Indian playing XI.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu-born Shankar is set to undergo tests at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He is a confident lot and is now also looking forward to plying his trade in the upcoming edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).

“I will be going to the NCA tomorrow and will have it (toe) assessed. I will get to know the extent of the injury in the next three-four days. I hope to make my debut in the TNPL this year. I will hope to give my best to Chepauk Super Gillies if I get to play,” Shankar was quoted as saying during the TNPL Season-4 launch in Chennai on Saturday.

TNPL is a great platform for many cricketers: Shankar

India A commitments and injuries meant that Shankar couldn’t take part in the first three editions of the T20 championship. Vijay was retained by the 2017 champion Super Gillies for the upcoming season. Shankar said that the TNPL has been a gateway to the IPL. He named the likes of Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy and Murugan Ashwin, who played this year’s IPL.

Praising the TNPL, Shankar said “Every year TNPL has made an impact in domestic circles. It’s a great platform for many cricketers. I think whoever did well [in TNPL] have been picked for Tamil Nadu and have made their mark in IPL. So it’s a good platform. Washi, Varun Charkravarthy, Murugan Ashwin… these guys are bedded into the IPL. I wish more cricketers [from TNPL] go on to play in the IPL.”