IPL 2025 mega auction: Vijay Shankar relishes return to Chennai Super Kings after a decade

The 33-year-old Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar stuck to his word, but when he eventually found out that he will be heading to the Chennai Super Kings, which pipped his former team Gujarat Titans with a bid of ₹1.2 crore, he was chuffed
| Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

On the eve of last weekend’s IPL mega auction in Jeddah, Vijay Shankar was asked whether he would be keeping an eye on the proceedings that will determine his future in the marquee T20 competition. “No, I won’t be watching. Nothing is in our control anyway,” was his quick response.

The 33-year-old Tamil Nadu all-rounder stuck to his word, but when he eventually found out that he will be heading to the Chennai Super Kings, which pipped his former team Gujarat Titans with a bid of ₹1.2 crore, he was chuffed. Apart from it being the franchise of his home State, it is also the franchise where he started his IPL journey, though he played just one game in 2014 when he was very much a rookie.

“I bowled one over for CSK in 2014. I didn’t bat. For me to have started my IPL career there and to go back to that team after 10 years is really special. It is a different feel altogether to play at Chepauk in the IPL. I have played there a few times when I was in the opposition,” Vijay told The Hindu. “There’s an aura that CSK has. The way they play cricket is different from other teams.”

After that lone appearance for the five-time IPL champion, he went on to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans. He enjoyed some success with the Gujarat Titans particularly in 2023 — in 14 matches, he contributed 301 runs at 37.63 while striking at 160.11.

For the moment, he has his focus on doing well in Tamil Nadu’s domestic campaign. While he was left out of the team for the first two Ranji Trophy matches of the season, he has managed to make his experience count since making a comeback.

“It was very tough to sit out for two games. But you need to keep doing your best. That is the work ethic that has been instilled in me from my early days,” he said.