Have learnt to stay neutral, don’t think of World Cup at all
MUMBAI: He froze under pressure in last year’s Nidahas Trophy T20 series final win in Colombo, on India debut. However, since then allrounder Vijay Shankar has proved his mettle with bat and ball in tight situations to come into World Cup contention. The Sunrisers Hyderabad player looks back and ahead in this interview. Excerpts:
Are you ready to bat at No 4 for India if you get the chance?
The best thing to happen is (an earlier chance) to bat at No 3 for India. I am batting at No 3 at Sunrisers also. When I played my first ODI innings, we (India) were 18/4. As a cricketer, it is important to be prepared for all situations.
How has playing with Williamson, Warner and Bairstow helped?
I look to observe the cricketers I am spending time with. When I was here in 2016 and 2017, I was not regular in the eleven. As I sat out, I watched all these people prepare and adapt to different situations.
From being a back-up to Hardik Pandya, you are in World Cup contention…
I do not know whether you people will believe this (or not), I am not even one per cent thinking about it. All I am thinking is IPL and the need to do well for the team... If I do well here, it will happen.
How much have you worked on your bowling?
I might not have bowled much in IPL but I believe in doing my work. The best example is the last over I bowled in the Nagpur ODI (two wickets in three deliveries).
Did the 46 at Nagpur bring out the real batsman in you?
In both innings – 46 vs Australia and 45 vs New Zealand at Wellington -- the way I got out was a little disappointing. The first innings (vs NZ) was more satisfying, from being 18/4. At Nagpur, I was timing the ball beautifully on that slow wicket. I only think of doing my work, give 100 per cent in what I do, gym or practice.
Manjrekar recently said you are no Pant to throw the bat at everything…
The way I got out (holing out leg-spinner Adam Zampa in the Delhi ODI) could have been different. If it had come out better, things would have been different. In the earlier matches, he (Manjrekar) had spoken good things about me. The best thing I learned with the (Indian) team is to stay neutral… I don’t go really high when I am doing well or go into a shell when I don’t.
How much did that Mustafizur Rahman’s over (in Nidahas) affect you?
It did, for a week. I was attending about 50 phone calls the next two days when I got home. I faced extreme criticism, which I never had before.
It made me stronger. I had sleepless nights… I felt when you play for your country there are expectations. Anyone could have gone through this, but for me it happened in the first game. Now I know how to handle things.