The lanky cricketer made his TNPL debut in the fourth season, playing for former champions Chepauk Super Gillies against Tuti Patriots in Tirunelveli.
India 'A' commitments and injury issues had meant he did not figure in any of the three previous editions of TNPL.
The right-handed all-rounder had been out of action since playing three games in the ICC World Cup as a toe injury ruled him out. He scored 58 runs and picked up two wickets.
Though he could only make three runs (from 7 balls), he bowled 3.5 overs and picked up two wickets conceding 15 runs. In fact, he took a wicket with the very first ball he bowled.
Shankar said he was happy to make his TNPL debut and come back and play after the injury.
“Pretty happy about making my debut, after three years, in fact, three and half seasons,” he said in a video on the TNPL twitter handle.
He said it was important for him to work hard and come back and play.
“I am not thinking about all that. It is very important for me to work hard and come back and play the game... which is very important rather than thinking about the first ball wicket. If it happens I will be very happy.. if it happens every game I will be very happy about it,” the Tamil Nadu all-rounder added.