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 in Sri Lanka
The landscape of global franchise cricket continues to evolve, and Vijay Shankar is the latest seasoned campaigner to pivot toward international leagues. Only days after announcing his retirement from both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the domestic Indian circuit, the 35-year-old all-rounder has secured a contract with the Kandy Royals for the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), scheduled to commence on July 17.
This move marks a significant shift for the former Indian international, who has long been a recognizable figure in the cricketing world. With the LPL player draft set for June 1, anticipation is building for what promises to be a highly competitive tournament featuring a blend of local icons and overseas stars.
Reflecting on a Diverse Career
Vijay Shankar’s professional journey has been marked by resilience and versatility. Having represented India between 2018 and 2019, including a memorable appearance in the ODI World Cup, he has accumulated vast experience across multiple high-stakes environments. His IPL career, which began with the Chennai Super Kings in 2014, saw him feature for several franchises before his final stint with the Men in Yellow ended in 2025.
The 2025 season proved to be a challenging chapter for the Tamil Nadu-born cricketer, as he struggled to find his rhythm, managing 118 runs across five innings. Following his release ahead of the 2026 auction, and subsequent lack of interest from other franchises, Shankar chose to step away from the domestic scene to explore global opportunities.
The Retirement Decision
In a heartfelt social media announcement, Shankar expressed deep gratitude for his twenty-five-year journey in the sport. He noted, “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.”
By stepping away from the constraints of the BCCI’s regulations, which prohibit active Indian cricketers from participating in overseas T20 leagues, Shankar has opened doors to a wider cricketing horizon. It is widely speculated that the LPL is merely his first stop, with plans likely to include participation in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the Canada T20 League, and the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States.
The Precedent of Indian Players in LPL
Historically, the involvement of Indian cricketers in the LPL has been limited due to the aforementioned BCCI policies. Only a handful of former players, such as Munaf Patel and Irfan Pathan, have featured in the league—most notably participating in the inaugural edition for the Kandy Tuskers. Shankar’s entry into the Kandy Royals roster signifies a growing trend of veteran Indian players seeking competitive cricket abroad after their domestic careers conclude.
The Broader Debate: Cooling-Off Periods
Shankar’s quick transition from IPL retirement to an overseas contract has reignited discussions within the cricketing fraternity regarding the BCCI’s potential implementation of a “cooling-off period.” Such a rule, which has been debated for several years, would essentially mandate that retired Indian players wait at least one year before becoming eligible for overseas T20 leagues.
While the board has explored these measures to protect the integrity of the domestic ecosystem, the current reality remains that players like Shankar are free to pursue these opportunities immediately upon retirement. As the LPL approaches, the focus remains on whether this move by the Kandy Royals will prove successful for both the franchise and the player, potentially setting a blueprint for how Indian veterans navigate their post-domestic careers in the years to come.
The upcoming LPL season will feature over 310 players shortlisted from a pool of 650 overseas registrations, spread across categories including Local and Overseas Icons and Stars. Fans will be watching closely to see how Shankar adapts to this new environment and whether his experience can propel the Kandy Royals to success in the 2026 campaign.
