Overview
- Vijay Shankar announced on Friday, May 22, 2026, that he is retiring from Indian domestic cricket and the IPL to “pursue new opportunities” and “play more cricket.”
- The decision follows Chennai Super Kings releasing him and him going unsold at the IPL 2026 auction, developments that left him without a franchise for the ongoing season.
- Shankar closed his domestic chapter after switching from Tamil Nadu to Tripura, where he signalled continued form by scoring an unbeaten 151 in his final Ranji Trophy appearance in January 2026.
- Over a 14‑year career he played 12 ODIs and nine T20Is for India and featured in 78 IPL matches across Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, scoring more than 1,200 IPL runs and compiling 4,253 first‑class runs.
- In his farewell note he said he had faced “unreal hate and negativity” and signed off as “Your 3D cricketer,” while signalling a common next step for former India players: chasing paid contracts in overseas T20 and veterans’ leagues to keep playing and earn post‑domestic incomes.