CHENNAI, Nov 21: A dream realised it might have been, but rookie Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar today said getting picked for the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka has come as a surprise to him.
Shankar, who was seen as a back-up seam bowling all-rounder to Hardik Pandya, was drafted into the Indian Test team in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka as a replacement for Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Kumar would be missing the second Test, starting November 24 in Nagpur, to get married.
�I am really excited (about the call-up). It has been a long-time dream of mine to be part of the Indian team. Now it has come true. My hard work has paid off. I was not expecting a call-up but now that I am in the squad, it feels great,� he told PTI today from Indore.
�I am looking forward to being part of the Indian dressing room for the first time,� he added.
The 26-year-old cricketer, who has played for India �A�, said it has helped him grow as an all-rounder.
�Being part of the India �A� team has helped me grow as an all-rounder. I have matured as a player and learnt to perform under different situations,� he said.
Shankar has been in good form with the bat in the ongoing Ranji Trophy and slammed a hundred against Odisha while also bowling long spells, which he said was good.
�I am happy with my batting form. I have been bowling well too and have bowled long spells. Getting four wickets against Mumbai has given me confidence,� he said.
Having overcome a series of injuries, which forced him to miss matches and �A� tours in the past, Shankar is now looking forward to better times.
The all-rounder, who led Tamil Nadu to triumphs in the Deodhar Trophy and Syed Musthaq Ali Trophy last season, said he had worked hard on his fitness.
�I was frustrated to miss matches, but worked hard on my fitness. Did rehab at the NCA with the physios and trainers there. It has made me stronger,� he said.
Shankar, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, said working with Tamil Nadu bowling coach L Balaji, a former India cricketer, had enabled him improve his bowling.
�Working with Balaji has helped me improve my bowling and increase my speed,� he said.
His family members were delighted to see him earn a call to the Test team and his brother Ajay, who plays in the TNCA League, said Vijay Shankar�s hard work and perseverance has paid off.
�We are excited to see him representing the country. Making a debut is a big and a very special time for us. He worked a lot for this,� Ajay, a mentor of sorts for his brother, said.
He also said Shankar�s determination helped during the tough times when he was injured and missed matches.
�Vijay (Shankar) put in a lot of hard work and his efforts made him return stronger and earn a spot in the �A� team,� Ajay said. � PTI