When Vijay Shankar strikes the ball hard, it often lands in the stands.
His match-winning 33-ball 61 against New Zealand-A at Visakhapatnam included as many as five sixes.
While this 26-year right-handed seam-bowling all-rounder can be explosive, he is also an organised middle-order batsman with timing and grace.
In the same series, Vijay Shankar’s game-clinching unbeaten 47 off 42 deliveries was a more subdued effort considering India-A had slid to 23 for three, chasing 144.
India-A coach and batting legend Rahul Dravid has been talking to Vijay Shankar about batting according to situations and the youngster has been listening.
A handy seamer as well, Vijay Shankar comprehends he is an arm’s length away from an India spot in the shorter formats. In fact, ahead of the Indian team selection for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, there was a belief that the overworked Hardik Pandya might be rested and Vijay Shankar included in his place.
The Tamil Nadu cricketer is an improving seamer, operating with greater velocity these days. And Vijay Shankar is a brilliant all-round fielder. He employs his height and high-arm action to generate bounce and gets movement off the seam.
“There have been times when I have been searching for my rhythm this season with the ball but I am a decidedly a more-rounded bowler now,” said Vijay Shankar to The Hindu.
His First Class batting record of 1553 runs from 29 matches at 50.09 reflects his solidity and he has 58 wickets across formats.
In T20 cricket, Vijay Shankar made his presence felt for Sunrisers Hyderabad last season with a couple of typically nonchalant innings.
But then, Vijay Shankar is also injury prone. “I don’t know how it happens. When I was in South Africa with the A-team, I was hit by a ball. Subsequently I missed action. I guess I have also been unlucky.”
His Yo-Yo score at the NCA is interesting. “I was told that I did 18.5. I was very happy,” he said. The benchmark score is 16.1.
Now this worthy contender is fit again and primed for India action. Vijay Shankar knows he is close but the last step is the one that really counts.