Vijay Shankar set for Tripura switch

After Hanuma Vihari, Vijay Shankar could be the next to head to the North-East. The India World Cupper and Tamil Nadu all-rounder is likely to switch allegiances, just like Vihari, and may turn out for Tripura in the upcoming domestic season. He has already secured an NOC from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA).

"I have obtained the NOC from TNCA but am yet to receive confirmation from the Tripura Cricket Association. I will be able to officially announce my switch once I get the formal approval letter from Tripura," said Shankar (31), who has featured in nine T20Is and 12 ODIs, including the famous World Cup game against Pakistan at Old Trafford in 2019, while speaking to Cricbuzz on Tuesday.

A TCA official told this website on late Tuesday evening that Shankar will join Vihari as a professional for the upcoming season. As reported earlier, Tripura will compete in the Elite division across all three formats - Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Vihari is expected to lead the North-East side in the coming season.

Meanwhile, Vihari publicly made his switch to Tripura official. In a social media post on Tuesday evening, he said, "After thoughtful consideration, I have made the decision to move to the Tripura Cricket Association, where I will be representing the state in all three formats of the game.

"While I'm grateful to Andhra Cricket Association for the role they have played in my journey so far, I believe that it's time for a platform that aligns better with my aspirations and allows me to contribute consistently across formats. (I'm) excited for this fresh challenge and fully committed to giving my best in this next phase."

Shankar started his domestic career with his home state, Tamil Nadu, in 2012 and went on to play 58 Ranji Trophy matches till last season, amassing 3,142 runs at an average of 44.25, including 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries. In List A cricket, he featured in 62 matches, scoring 1,702 runs at an average of just over 34, with two hundreds and nine fifties. In T20s, he played 47 games, collecting 1,004 runs.

He enjoyed a fairly impressive first-class season last year, scoring 476 runs in six Ranji matches at an average of 52.88, with two centuries and a half-century. In List A cricket, he featured in five games, making 188 runs at an average of 37.6. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, however, he managed just 45 runs from three outings.