How SRH is helping Vijay Shankar groom himself for the World Cup

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Vijay Shankar; who has been included in the 15 member squad for Team India for the 2019 ICC World cup is ensuring that he leaves no stones unturned in his preparation for the biggest cricketing event in the world. Shankar is looking to fully utilize the time that he is spending in his IPL franchise, The Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Hyderabad team has several world cup winners such as David Warner, Yusuf Pathan, to name a few. Vijay Shankar; is looking to take a cue from their experiences at absorbing the pressure of playing when the stakes are maximum.

The all-rounder from Tamil Nadu has been picked as the number four batsman for team India ahead of players such as Ambati Raydu, Manish Pandey, and Ajinkya Rahane. Shankar has been impressive in terms of his batting and fielding in the limited opportunities that he has got in the past couple of months. Moreover, he also seems to be in fine touch in this edition of IPL. Though being labelled as an all-rounder it is interesting to observe that he has been largely underutilized as a bowler. He reemdemd himself though when he helped India win a one-dayer against Australia by bowling a tight match-deciding last over.

Tom Moody, who is the head coach for the Sunrisers Hyderabad also is a world cup winner himself, and Shankar also is looking to rub his shoulders with players who have had the experience to lift the trophy for their country. It can be speculated that his interactions with such players will help him calm his nerves and also get a fair amount of idea about what his state of mind should be when he dons the Indian Jersey at the grandest stage of them all.

” I have learnt a lot from them on the ways to manage pressure at such a large scale event,” Shankar said. “I’m extremely elated to be in the Indian World Cup team, this is like a dream come true.”

Moreover, former England skipper Michael Vaughan has also shown faith in Shankar and was quoted saying ” With India’s top 3, Shankar at 4 is not a concern.”

Shankar is all set to take the flight to England along with his Hyderabad teammate B Kumar and would be hoping to grab the opportunity given to him with both hands.

To read about the thought process of MSK Prasad, the chairman of selectors of team India on selecting Vijay Shankar and Dinesh Karthik, click here: https://www.sportsindiashow.com/karthik-beats-pant-win-race-world-cup/