Vijay Shankar eager to emerge as a substitute to all-rounder Hardik Pandya

Chennai, Feb 26: Tamil Nadu cricketer Vijay Shankar received India call-up for the upcoming Nidahas T20I Trophy as selectors have decided to rest key players for the tri-nation series in Sri Lanka.

The cricketer, who is still taking nascent steps in international cricket, has been named as a replacement to fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya and he is eager to make it count on the opportunity at hand. Being a seam-bowling all-rounder, the national selectors are looking at him as a substitute of Pandya.

"I am very happy to have got the call-up. It is a pleasant surprise. My aim has always been to keep improving and to do well in the opportunities I get. I was training when I got the news about my selection for the tri-series in Sri Lanka," Shankar said.

The 27-year-old cricketer is relieved that he will have his statemates MS Washington Sundar and senior pro-Dinesh Karthik for the company when he embarks on his maiden foreign assignment in Sri Lanka with Rohit Sharma leading a young side.

Team's regular skipper Virat Kohli and veteran wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni have also been rested for the series.

Familiarity with unknown conditions is a bonus and Shankar admits that during an interaction with PTI.

"It is a familiar dressing room, having played with most of the team members (for India A), who have been chosen for the series in Sri Lanka. It will be nice to have them (Karthik and Sundar) also in the dressing room," Shankar said.

The Tamil Nadu all-rounder, who was part of the team for two Tests during the Test series against Sri Lanka last year, said that sharing dressing room helped him learn a lot.

"Being part of the national Test set-up is an experience I enjoyed. I learnt by watching the players prepare for matches. I have also been working on my bowling, trying a lot of new things," he added.

While he has had decent performances, Shankar termed his inclusion as a "pleasant surprise".

The Tamil Nadu all-rounder was picked up Daredevils for Rs 3.2 crore during the IPL auctions last month.

Shankar, the captain of the Tamil Nadu ODI and T20 sides, has been in good form with the bat, both in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, said he is always looking to improve in both departments.

He scored a century (against Gujarat) and a half-century in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy league phase here, though the team played below par and bowed out early.

"Personally, I did well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I look to improve every time I play, whether batting or bowling," he added.

(With inputs from PTI)