Vijay Shankar final over bowls over fans

Vijay Shankar's last-over heroics and impressive batting display have got fans talking.

Vijay Shankar took the wicket of Marcus Stoinis with the first ball of the last over.

Vijay Shankar's last-over heroics with the ball that earned India a win against Australia in Nagpur on Tuesday capped off a solid performance from the player whose bowling has been under scrutiny. 

The team chose Shankar to bowl the last over. Australia needed 11 to win and the move appeared bold, as Shankar had conceded 13 runs in the only over he had bowled in the match. He picked up two wickets in three balls — Marcus Stoinis was trapped lbw with the first delivery, Adam Zampa was bowled with a third ball yorker.    

Earlier in the day, Shankar had got fans talking with his batting display.

He was in the middle of an impressive innings before he was run out for 46 (off 41 balls), missing out on a first ODI fifty.

Vijay Shankar scored an impressive 46 against Australia in the second ODI in Hyderabad.

 

Incidentally, in the fifth ODI against New Zealand in February, he had been run out on 45. During that knock, Shankar, along with Ambati Rayudu, pulled India out of trouble after it had lost four wickets for just 18 runs. Shankar was masterful with the bat before a mix-up cost him his wicket.

Shankar's right-am medium pace had not convinced many hard-to-please fans, but the Nagpur performance set social media abuzz. Praise poured in for the Tamil Nadu player.

While Hardik Pandya looks set to lock one all-rounder spot in the World Cup squad, Shankar is dragging himself into the mix for other spots, according to fans, former cricketers and cricket writers.

Outstanding innings from Virat but really impressed by how Vijay Shankar soaked the pressure in the last over . Jasprit Bumrah's final 2 overs for just 2 runs was a great exhibition of death over bowling. Congratulations Team India on a fabulous win #INDvAUS

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 5, 2019

Well bowled vijay shankar and great leadership by Virat. A nailbiter finish for the crowd and great result for team India #indvsaus

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 5, 2019

Vijay Shankar ki ticket for World Cup is confirmed @vijayshankar260

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 5, 2019

When you know you suggested Vijay Shankar for last over #INDvAUSpic.twitter.com/ufD1e77R44

— Ashish Nehra (@ashishnehra64) March 5, 2019

 

Given slow pitch which increased hardship quotient for batsmen, Kohli's was a masterly knock. Kuldeep & Bumrah proved their wicket taking ability yet again. But perhaps most important for India was Vijay Shankar's all-round show

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 5, 2019

 

Vijay Shankar has been extremely impressive. This is who he is. A quality batsman who can give you a few overs.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2019

Forget Vijay Shankar the all rounder, let's focus on Vijay Shankar the batsman. That innings of 46 was oozing class. #AUSvIND

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 5, 2019