Vijay Shankar to join Hanuma Vihari at Tripura, set to leave Tamil Nadu

India all-rounder Vijay Shankar is reportedly set to join the Northeastern outfit for the upcoming domestic season, having already secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA).

"I have obtained the NOC from TNCA but am yet to receive confirmation from the Tripura Cricket Association. I will be able to officially announce my switch once I get the formal approval letter from Tripura," Shankar told Cricbuzz on Tuesday.

A Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) official confirmed later in the day that Shankar will indeed join Vihari as one of their professionals for the 2025-26 season. Tripura will feature in the Elite division across all three domestic tournaments—the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy - with Vihari expected to lead the side.

Shankar, 34, has represented India in 12 ODIs and nine T20Is, including the 2019 World Cup clash against Pakistan at Old Trafford. Domestically, he has been a mainstay for Tamil Nadu since his debut in 2012, playing 58 Ranji Trophy matches and amassing 3,142 runs at an average of 44.25, with 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries. In List A cricket, he has 1,702 runs from 62 outings, while his T20 career has yielded 1,004 runs from 47 matches.

The all-rounder enjoyed a strong red-ball campaign last season, scoring 476 runs in six Ranji matches at 52.88, including two centuries. He also chipped in with 188 runs in List A games, though his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign was less fruitful with just 83 runs in four matches.

Meanwhile, Hanuma Vihari has already confirmed his move to Tripura after parting ways with Andhra. The 31-year-old announced on social media that he has signed as one of Tripura's three professionals and will represent them in all formats.

"After thoughtful consideration, I have made the decision to move to the Tripura Cricket Association, where I'll be representing the state in all three formats of the game," Vihari wrote on X, adding that the switch offers him a platform that better aligns with his aspirations.

Vihari, who debuted for India at The Oval in 2018, is best remembered for his match-saving vigil in Sydney in 2021 alongside R Ashwin. In 16 Tests, he has scored 839 runs at 33.56, while his first-class career boasts over 9,500 runs at 49.92, including 24 centuries.

With Shankar set to follow Vihari, Tripura's lineup will have an experienced core of professionals heading into the new season, a move that could make them far more competitive in India's domestic circuit.