Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri has given a big statement regarding Gujarat Titans (GT) all-rounder Vijay Shankar. Shastri was impressed with Vijay Shankar's quickfire innings against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2023 on Sunday at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. Vijay played an unbeaten 24-ball 63, hitting four fours and five sixes during his incredible knock to help Gujarat Titans (GT) cross 200-run mark against Kolkata. During his knock, Shankar added 41 runs in the last 2 overs off just 11 balls. He scored 23 runs in the first 13 balls of his innings at a strike rate of 169.23, and later added 41 runs in the last 11 balls of his innings at a strike rate of 372.72.
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Ravi Shastri took the opportunity to defend BCCI's controversial move of naming Vijay Shankar in India's 2019 World Cup squad, sidelining veteran Ambati Rayudu.
"The fact that Vijay was picked for the World Cup is because he had this kind of talent. And I am glad that he has gone back, worked hard, and not given up. You know he has had some tough times, he has had an operation as well, but he has come back strong," said Shastri on Star Sports.
"Beautiful hitting today because he is a clean striker of the ball, he has got a wide range of shots and, because of his reach and height, he can hit the ball a long, long way. Great to see. This is the strength of the Gujarat Titans. They have got some power hitters in the back end of the innings. So if they get off to a good start then they are a very dangerous side at the back end of the innings," he added.
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MSK Prasad, who was BCCI chief selector during the 2019 World Cup, had named Vijay Shankar in Indian squad, ahead Ambati Rayudu. Defending the move back then, Prasad had said that Vijay Shankar was included in the squad because of his '3D skills'.