All-rounder Vijay Shankar received the maiden World Cup call on Monday as the BCCI announced the 15-man squad for the upcoming marquee event. The Tamil Nadu cricketer was picked ahead of the likes of Ambati Rayudu and Ajinkya Rahane as the selectors relied upon his ‘three-dimensional qualities’.

A few hours after the team announcement, the 28-year-old, who is currently plying his trade for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), expressed his feelings and said he felt really special to be chosen in the World Cup squad.

“It feels really very good to be a part of World Cup squad. It’s my first call for the World Cup and it’s really special to any cricketer; very-very special for me as well. So, I’m looking forward to a wonderful tour,” said Vijay Shankar.

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Shankar has been in a terrific form recently. In 9 one-day matches played so far, he has scored 165 runs at an average of 33 and a strike rate of over 96.

In the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Shankar piled up 232 runs from 6 innings at an average of 46.40 while in the Ranji Trophy he scored 218 runs in 6 innings at 43.60.

Apart from his batting skills, he has also been a decent bowling option who can chip in with the regular quicks to get crucial breakthroughs at times.

Shankar took the slot which was speculated to go to Ambati Rayudu before his dip in form in the home series against Australia last month.

“We have been planning soon after the completion of the Champions Trophy (2017) for this. But let me tell you that in the last month or so, there have been a couple of players who have really cropped up like Vijay Shankar,” said chief selector MS K Prasad.