Former India pacer and now bowling coach of Tamil Nadu, Lakshmipathy Balaji warned on Wednesday that the 'all-rounder's tag' on Vijay Shankar is "too much".
"Vijay Shankar is a fantastic batsman and a very capable bowler," Balaji, who is also the bowling coach of Chennai Super Kings, told DNA from Chennai. "His batting seems to be coming off very well but that should not over-shadow his all-rounder's tag."
Vijay's 46 in the second ODI during a partnership of 81 for the fourth wicket with captain Virat Kohli before being run out made former Test batsman and now commentator Sanjay Manjrekar tweet on Tuesday: "Forget Vijay Shankar the all rounder, let's focus on Vijay Shankar the batsman. That innings of 46 was oozing class".
Balaji, who has seen Vijay make progress from Tamil Nadu to India 'A' and to India colours from close quarters, spoke high of the 28-year-old's cricketing skills, especially as a batsman.
"Just as a pure batsman, Vijay is phenomenal. His bowling is gaining momentum. He is making genuine contributions with the ball, though the numbers may not be that great. At best, he is the third or fourth seamer who needs to get his seam position right. That said, he bowled a phenomenal length in the T20I in Bengaluru against Australia after captain Kohli gave him the new ball," he said.
Balaji, a former right-arm pacer, was not surprised at Vijay's last-over exploits on Tuesday in the Nagpur ODI when Australia needed 11 to win off 6 deliveries. He said the tall cricketer likes to take challenges and has done it for TN time and again.
"Vijay is one who will take the ball and bowl, breaks partnerships most of the times. Often, he has done the crucial role of changing the course of the game. That shows his ability to deliver when the team requires him more.
"It is very important that he showed the temperament, which he wanted to do desperately. This will help him develop as a cricketer. Once you have done that (last-over success in Nagpur), you will make sure you are capable of doing it every time. Of course, you will have an odd off day but a majority of the times, it will work if you are in similar situation."
Vijay has taken it upon himself to deliver when Tamil Nadu needed him. Balaji recalled: "When the team was looking for a new ball bowler as the regular bowlers were down with injuries, he has done that. He makes sure he goes to the key areas to field. He puts himself in that position and thinks that if he cannot do, nobody else can."
Balaji agreed that Vijay has improved with every opportunity he has got in Team India colours. "It is very important to have enough chances under your belt. Initially, you are a little bit tentative. That settles down with experience and with more number of opportunities, you will give your best.
"When you reach the international level, you start maturing and growing. That has happened with the best of cricketers. You go that one level up every time, rather than just staying here," 37-year-old Balaji said.
"Vijay has produced results with batting. Previously, a lot is talked about his batting in T20 in the Nidahas Trophy final (March 2018, 19-ball 17). He has moved on from that, made phenomenal development with the bat and that has showed with his consistency for India 'A'. He is very someone who proves people wrong."
