From Nidahas trophy to Nagpur: The three phases of Vijay Shankar's journey

#2 ODI debut and further progress:

He made the ODI debut against Australia

The Hardik Pandya “Koffee Gate” happened and Vijay Shankar was asked to link-up with the Indian ODI team in Australia, and in the series-deciding 3rd ODI at the MCG, he was handed his ODI debut.

Shankar was only required to bowl in that game and that he did well, with 0/23 in 6 tidy overs. It was not until the final ODI of the New Zealand series did Shankar get an opportunity to bat. With the score reading a perilous 18/4, Shankar rebuilt the innings in a 98-run stand with Ambati Rayudu, before being run-out for 45.

He looked really good for the big score during that match. Also, further promising showings in the T20 series meant that he had booked his ticket for the Australia ODI series at home. He didn’t have much to show for in the Hyderabad game, except for his stupendous catch to dismiss Usman Khawaja. At Nagpur though, the story was completely different for Shankar.