India's out-of-favour all-rounder Vijay Shankar has officially announced his retirement from both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and domestic cricket. The 36-year-old Tamil Nadu-born cricketer decided to bring the curtain down on his professional career in India with the intent of exploring fresh avenues and continuing his cricketing journey in new formats or leagues globally.
Vijay Shankar retires from IPL and domestic cricket
Shankar's announcement comes right in the middle of the ongoing IPL 2026 season, a tournament where he is not featuring for any franchise this year. His final stint in the lucrative league came during the 2025 season, where he represented the Chennai Super Kings. Meanwhile, his final appearance in official domestic cricket came on January 29, 2026, when he suited up for Tripura against Gujarat in a Ranji Trophy encounter.
At the international level, Shankar will famously be remembered for his stint during the 2019 World Cup in England. His last official appearance in the blue jersey for the Indian national team came during that tournament, in a group stage clash against the West Indies on June 27, 2019, at Old Trafford in Manchester.
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Vijay Shankar's career in detail
Vijay Shankar's deep-rooted journey with Tamil Nadu cricket began at the grassroots level, where he represented his home state across all age-group categories starting from the under-13 squad. After making his senior debut in 2012, the dependable all-rounder became a mainstay of the state team for 13 years before making a late-career switch to Tripura for the 2025–26 domestic season. He walks away from the game with a highly respectable domestic record, accumulating 77 first-class appearances featuring 4,253 runs and 43 wickets. His extensive white-ball experience is equally impressive, concluding with 112 List A fixtures where he notched 2,790 runs and 73 wickets, alongside 159 T20 matches that yielded 2,583 runs and 38 wickets.
His Indian Premier League career was a journey of persistence that began with Chennai Super Kings in 2013, though he only made a solitary appearance the following year. Shankar later found more regular opportunities during a four-match stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017, which paved the way for a productive 2018 season with Delhi Capitals where he scored 212 runs. He returned to SRH for a three-year stretch between 2019 and 2021 before joining the Gujarat Titans during their maiden championship-winning campaign in 2022. His absolute peak in the tournament came in 2023 with the Titans, where he blasted 301 runs at an explosive strike rate of 160.10. While he earned an emotional homecoming to CSK for the 2025 season, a quiet campaign left him without a franchise at the subsequent player auction.
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At the international level, Shankar enjoyed a prominent run between 2018 and 2019, representing India in 12 ODIs and nine T20Is. His rapid rise culminated in a high-profile selection for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England, where selectors backed him to solve the team's crucial number four batting puzzle while providing handy medium-pace swing in helpful conditions. Although a sudden toe injury sustained in the nets cut his tournament short after just three matches, he still secured an iconic piece of cricket history; stepping in to complete an over for an injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar against arch-rivals Pakistan, Shankar trapped Imam-ul-Haq leg-before on his very first ball of the tournament.
Vijay Shankar's emotional note:
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
Cricket is my life. I started playing when I was 10 and 25 years later, I am grateful and blessed to have played at every level and to the highest level. Representing our country will always be one of my proudest and happiest moments.
I have decided to retire from playing domestic cricket and IPL to pursue new opportunities and play more cricket.
Thank you will not suffice for letting me do what I love. Eternally grateful.
Thankful to BCCI and the Indian Cricket Team - many learnings, countless memories and various inspirations! Representing the country will be my highest badge of honour. Bowling the last over at India's 500th ODI at Nagpur and my First ball First wicket at the 2019 world cup are moments I will hold onto forever!
My IPL Teams GT, SRH, CSK and DC - special thank you! The experience and lessons from all around have made me what I am today!
TNCA - under 13,15,17,19,22,25 and finally, senior men's team - I've spent most of my life here. Thank you to everyone at every step of the way. Captained and won trophies with this very special side. Numerous hurdles and challenges shaped me into a better cricketer.
Thanks to Tripura Team for letting me carry on the dream for a little while longer.
My teams at the TNPL - CSG, IDTT, SS. Loved playing this special tournament with all the TN talents.
My most prestigious - TN league teams - Indian Bank, ICF, India Cements and now, Take Solutions - This is where it all began and keeps going for years. Grateful to have had the opportunity to play here.
A big thank you 🙏
Coaches and support staff everywhere,
Physios and trainers,
Mentors and my mental conditional coach,
Groundsmen,
My friends at the media and press,
My nutrionist and doctors and
Everyone who has sent a good word!
Lastly, my family and friends - words won't do justice but thanks to them for sticking with me through literally thick and thin.
I have faced unreal hate and negativity. Let me take this opportunity to let you know that I chose to ignore and move forward. If I can do that- anyone can!
Think positive and work hard. Cricket has taught me life. Cricket is my life.
Grateful and blessed 🧿
Your 3D cricketer,
Vijay Shankar