After recovering from the toe injury that ruled him out of the ICC Cricket World Cup last month, India all-rounder Vijay Shankar returned to action on Friday (August 9) as he featured in a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match.

Shankar’s TNPL debut came in the fourth season while playing for former champions Chepauk Super Gillies against Tuti Patriots in Tirunelveli. Earlier, India ‘A’ commitments and injury issues had meant he did not play in any of the previous three editions.

Shankar was hit on the left toe by a yorker from team-mate Jasprit Bumrah during the nets and suffered a non-displaced fracture. The injury cut short his participation in the World Cup, where India reached the semi-final before getting knocked out by New Zealand. 

In three matches at the World Cup 2019, the 28-year-old Shankar registered the scores of 15*, 29 and 14 besides claiming two wickets.

As far as his TNPL debut is concerned – Vijay Shankar could only make 3 runs from 7 balls but he bowled 3.5 overs and took two wickets by conceding 15 runs. In fact, he picked up a wicket with the very first ball he bowled in the tournament.

“Pretty happy about making my debut, after three years, in fact three and half seasons,” Shankar said in a video posted by TNPL on Twitter.

“…so pretty happy that I played today. Very disappointing that I didn’t do well with the bat and bowling came out pretty well and fielding I was moving around very well, which was very important for me.

“… And batting, I would love to contribute to my team’s victory and take the team through to the finals and hopefully win the final.”

The Tamil Nadu all-rounder said it was important for him to work hard and come back and play.

“I am not thinking about all that. It is very important for me to work hard and come back and play the game… which is very important rather than thinking about the first ball wicket. If it happens I will be very happy.. if it happens every game i will be very happy about it,” he added.