World Cup 2019: Vijay Shankar is prepared for 'extra responsibility' whenever required

Shankar looks at the varying demands of international cricket as “extra responsibility” rather than “extra pressure”, an approach that enables him to perform any role assigned by the team management

It’s yet to be seen whether Vijay Shankar takes the field against Afghanistan on Saturday but the ‘three-dimensional’ all-rounder is mentally prepared for the challenge. Hit on the toe during a rain-hit training session, Shankar was forced to skip training on Thursday. “Personally, I'm hopeful of playing. Someone like Jasprit Bumrah, you expect it in the nets (to get hit), you have to be ready,” Shankar said in the pre-match media interaction. Shankar looks at the varying demands of international cricket as “extra responsibility” rather than “extra pressure”, an approach that enables him to perform any role assigned by the team management. Asked if he faces problems at numbers 6 or 7 as he doesn't have the big shots like Hardik Pandya for those end overs, Shankar begged to differ. “That pressure will always be there to deliver whatever the situation demands. So it's not about how powerful I am because I've also played down the order. I've also got experience playing at numbers 6 or 7. It's not about taking that extra pressure. It's about taking extra responsibility and delivering it at the right time for the team,” he said. There's bound to nerves in a big tournament and the impressive show against Pakistan has helped him ease the pressure somewhat. “Yeah, definitely, it gives any player some confidence because that is really needed for any individual. Last game gave me some confidence, and especially playing against Pakistan, making my debut against them. “It was a very special thing for me, performing under pressure and coming out good. The team winning at the end of the day is really important. It felt really good at the end of the day,” he said.