After Hanuma Vihari’s switch to Tripura, another high-profile name could be heading to the North-East. India all-rounder Vijay Shankar, who represented the country in the 2019 World Cup, is likely to join Tripura for the upcoming domestic season.
The 34-year-old has already secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and is now awaiting formal confirmation from the Tripura Cricket Association (TCA).
“I have obtained the NOC from TNCA but am yet to receive confirmation from the Tripura Cricket Association. I will be able to officially announce my switch once I get the formal approval letter from Tripura,” Shankar told Cricbuzz on Tuesday.
A TCA official later confirmed that Shankar will join Vihari as a professional for the 2024–25 domestic season. As reported earlier, Tripura will compete in the Elite division across all three formats—Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy—with Vihari expected to lead the side.
Shankar’s Career So Far
Vijay Shankar made his domestic debut for Tamil Nadu in 2012 and has since featured in:
- 58 Ranji Trophy matches, scoring 3,142 runs at 44.25 with 11 centuries and 16 fifties.
- 62 List A games, amassing 1,702 runs at just over 34, with two hundreds and nine fifties.
- 47 T20 matches, in which he has collected 1,004 runs.
He enjoyed a strong 2023–24 Ranji season, scoring 476 runs in six matches at 52.88, including two centuries and a fifty. In List A cricket, he scored 188 runs in five games, while in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he managed 83 runs from four outings.
Shankar has also represented India in 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is, most memorably in the 2019 World Cup clash against Pakistan at Old Trafford, where he struck with his very first ball of the tournament.
Vihari’s Official Switch
Meanwhile, Hanuma Vihari confirmed his move to Tripura on Tuesday via social media.
“After thoughtful consideration, I have made the decision to move to the Tripura Cricket Association, where I will be representing the state in all three formats of the game,” Vihari wrote.
Thanking the Andhra Cricket Association for their support, he added that he was looking forward to a platform that aligned better with his aspirations and allowed him to contribute consistently across formats.
With both Vihari and Shankar on board, Tripura’s squad looks significantly stronger heading into the new season, raising expectations for a competitive campaign in the Elite group.
