Former Chennai Super Kings All-Rounder Vijay Shankar Announces IPL and Domestic Cricket Retirement

Vijay Shankar has announced his retirement from domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League, bringing the curtain down on a professional Indian career that spanned more than a decade.

The 35-year-old all-rounder confirmed the decision through a heartfelt social media statement on Friday (May 22), saying he now wants "to pursue new opportunities" and "play more cricket. "

Shankar, who represented India in both ODIs and T20Is between 2018 and 2019, reflected emotionally on his journey from grassroots cricket to the international stage.

"Cricket is my life. I started playing when I was 10 and 25 years later, I am grateful and blessed to have played at every level and to the highest level," Shankar wrote.

"Representing our country will always be

one of my proudest and happiest moments. "

'Thank You Will Not Suffice'

The Tamil Nadu all-rounder thanked the BCCI, teammates, coaches and everyone who contributed to his journey across domestic and international cricket.

"I have decided to retire from playing domestic cricket and IPL to pursue new opportunities and play more cricket. Thank you will not suffice for letting me do what I love. Eternally grateful," he added.

Shankar also revisited some of the most memorable moments of his India career, particularly from the 2019 ODI World Cup.

"Bowling the last over at India's 500th ODI at Nagpur and my first ball, first wicket at the 2019 World Cup are moments I will hold onto forever," he stated.

A Career That Reached the World Cup Stage

Vijay Shankar was considered one of India's most promising seam-bowling all-rounders during the late 2010s.

After strong domestic performances for Tamil Nadu and impressive IPL seasons, he earned an India call-up and eventually became part of the country's squad for the 2019 ODI World Cup in England.

Shankar played 12 ODIs and nine T20Is for India during his international career.

One of the most memorable moments of his India stint came during the World Cup when he dismissed Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq with his very first ball in ODI World Cup cricket.

However, his campaign was cut short due to a toe injury suffered during the tournament. The injury eventually proved a turning point in his international career as he struggled to regain a regular place in the Indian setup afterward.

IPL Journey Across Four Franchises

Over the years, Shankar represented four IPL franchises and became known as a versatile middle-order batter capable of contributing with medium pace.

He played for: Chennai Super Kings (2014, 2025), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2017, 2019-2021), Delhi Capitals (2018), Gujarat Titans (2022-2024).

Although he was not part of any IPL team in the ongoing 2026 season, Shankar remained an experienced presence in domestic cricket circles and had recently joined Tripura ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season.

Impressive Domestic Numbers

Shankar's domestic career numbers underline the consistency he maintained over a long period across formats.

Format	Matches	Runs	Batting Average	100s	50s	Wickets
First-Class	77	4,253	46.73	13	23	43
List A	112	2,790	34.87	2	15	73
T20s	159	2,583	-	0	-	38
ODIs (India)	12	223	31.85	0	0	4
T20Is (India)	9	101	25.25	0	0	5

His ability to contribute in multiple roles made him a valuable player in domestic cricket and franchise leagues throughout his career.

What Next for Vijay Shankar?

Interestingly, Shankar's statement hinted that while he is stepping away from Indian domestic cricket and the IPL, he may continue playing cricket elsewhere.

His comment about wanting to "play more cricket" suggests he could explore opportunities in overseas T20 leagues or other franchise competitions globally.

For Indian cricket fans, Vijay Shankar's career will always be remembered as one of perseverance, versatility and unfulfilled promise - a player who reached the biggest stage and delivered memorable moments despite facing setbacks and intense competition.