Vijay Shankar Joins Lanka Premier League Days After IPL Retirement – Vijay Shankar Joins Kandy Royals for Lanka Premier League Season 6
A New Chapter for Vijay Shankar
The landscape of global T20 cricket continues to evolve, and the latest move by former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Vijay Shankar proves that retirement from the Indian Premier League does not necessarily signal the end of a professional career. Just days after announcing his departure from the IPL and the Indian domestic circuit, the 35-year-old has officially penned a deal with the Kandy Royals to participate in the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL).
The Road to the Lanka Premier League
The sixth edition of the LPL is scheduled to commence on July 17, with the much-anticipated players’ draft set to take place on June 1. The excitement surrounding this season is palpable, with reports indicating that over 650 overseas players from 21 countries have registered for the draft, with 310 individuals shortlisted across various categories, including Local Icon, Overseas Icon, Local Star, and Overseas Star.
Vijay Shankar’s transition to the Kandy Royals comes shortly after his announcement on May 22, where he declared his retirement from all domestic Indian cricket and the IPL. By stepping away from the BCCI-governed structures, Shankar has cleared the path to explore global T20 opportunities, a trend that is becoming increasingly common among veteran cricketers looking to extend their playing days.
Reflecting on a Career and Looking Ahead
Vijay Shankar, who represented India at the 2018-19 level and featured in the ODI World Cup, has had a storied career. His IPL journey saw him play for various franchises, with his final stint occurring with the Chennai Super Kings in 2025. Following a challenging season where he recorded 118 runs in five innings, Shankar found himself released by the Men in Yellow and subsequently went unsold in the following auction.
In an emotional social media statement regarding his retirement, Shankar wrote: “Cricket is my life. I started playing when I was 10, and 25 years later, I am grateful and blessed to have played at every level, and to the highest level. Representing our country will always be one of my proudest and happiest moments. I have decided to retire from playing domestic cricket and IPL to pursue new opportunities and play more cricket.”
It appears that the LPL is merely the beginning of this new phase. Sources suggest that Shankar is actively looking into other global leagues, including the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the Canada T20 League, and the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States.
The Context of Indian Players in LPL
The BCCI maintains a strict policy barring active Indian cricketers from participating in overseas leagues. Consequently, players like Shankar must officially retire from domestic cricket to remain eligible for foreign tournaments. Historically, very few Indian players have graced the LPL. In the inaugural edition, both Munaf Patel and Irfan Pathan participated for the Kandy Tuskers, marking a rare instance of Indian representation in the league.
Impact on Franchise Cricket and the BCCI
Shankar’s rapid signing with the Kandy Royals has reignited discussions regarding the BCCI’s stance on player retirements. For years, there has been speculation about the introduction of a mandatory ‘cooling-off period’ for retired players. Such a rule would prevent cricketers from immediately transitioning into overseas leagues for at least a year after announcing their retirement. While the concept of a cooling-off period has been debated within the board as a mechanism to protect the domestic ecosystem, no such regulation is currently enforced, allowing players like Shankar to pursue international opportunities immediately.
As the Lanka Premier League gears up for another thrilling season, all eyes will be on how seasoned veterans like Vijay Shankar adapt to the environment of foreign leagues. His career path serves as a testament to the growing trend of nomadic professional cricketers seeking to maximize their presence in the global T20 market.
