'I'll be really happy to' - Vijay Shankar talks about his aspirations about upcoming ODI World Cup

The defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) registered their 6th win of the Indian Premier League 2023 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, April 29. GT’s allrounder Vijay Shankar helped the team to achieve the target with 13 balls to spare and won the match by 7 wickets.

Shankar smashed 51 runs off just 24 balls which included 2 fours and 5 sixes. Given that he unexpectedly made it onto the Indian team for the 2019 World Cup and is performing well in an ODI World Cup year, there were some funny assumptions on social media platforms. Even though it seems unlikely at this point and Shankar himself wants to stay in the present and decided not to think about too far.

"It's too far for me. Mentally I'm really not thinking about that. If I can win matches for my team that's the only satisfaction I can take from every game. I'll be really happy to contribute to my team's wins. Cricket is something we love, that's why we still continue playing. No expectations, I just wanted to enjoy my cricket." Shankar said in the post-match presentation.

The management here helped me to get out of it properly: Vijay Shankar

Shankar’s ball-striking has been the biggest surprise of the season, with close to 200 runs at a fantastic strike rate of 165.83. Shankar has always had the physique and build to hammer the ball, but he hasn't always felt as confident about doing it as he has this season. 

"Before the IPL, I was out for five to six months with an injury. I came back and did well in the Ranji Trophy. I changed a lot of things and it worked for me. I changed my diet and not just physically, but even to the mental aspect of my game which I felt was important. All that together and with the team here, the management here helped me to get out of it properly. Happy that it is coming out good."