India all-rounder Vijay Shankar on Friday announced his retirement from domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League, saying he wants to “pursue new opportunities” and “play more cricket.”The 35-year-old from Tamil Nadu, who later represented Tripura in domestic cricket ahead of the 2025–26 season, played 12 ODIs and nine T20Is for India between 2018 and 2019. Why did Vijay Shankar retire?Shankar confirmed his decision through a post on social media. "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," he wrote. "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!," he added.All about Vijay Shankar career He was also part of India’s squad for the 2019 ODI World Cup. However, Vijay Shankar played his final match in national colours against the West Indies in Manchester, after a toe injury ruled him out of the tournament, following which he eventually lost his place in the side. In the Indian Premier League, Shankar represented four franchises during his career — Chennai Super Kings (2014, 2025), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2017, 2019–2021), Delhi Capitals (2018), and Gujarat Titans (2022–2024). He was not part of any squad in the ongoing season. The right-handed batter and right-arm seamer featured in 77 First-Class matches, 112 List A games, and 159 T20s across his career, which began in 2012. In First-Class cricket, he scored 4,253 runs at an average of 46.73, including 13 centuries and 23 fifties, along with 43 wickets. In List A cricket, he accumulated 2,790 runs at 34.87, with two hundreds and 15 fifties, alongside 73 wickets. In T20s, he scored 2,583 runs and picked up 38 wickets.