Murali Vijay, an India batsman, revealed, recalling Virender Sehwag’s words. That he was afraid of losing his place in the team after scoring 10 and 6 in a Test match against Australia.
It is only natural to overlook the contributions of Indian cricket’s gifted and talented players. In the face of giants like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and others.
There were some players who served as a bridge between the Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar eras. Long before Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane became the backbone of India’s middle order in Tests.
During MS Dhoni’s captaincy from 2008 to 2014. Certain players emerged and left their mark, Murali Vijay being one of the most well-known.
Vijay, who became known as the “Monk,” played in 67 Test matches for India and scored almost 4000 runs at an average of 38.28, including 12 centuries and 15 fifties.
Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan quickly established themselves as one of India’s most potent opening duos in Test matches, scoring centuries both at home and away.
To better comprehend Vijay’s career, however, it can be broken down into two parts: before 2011 and after 2012.
Vijay was a rising star from 2008 to 2011, but the batter really came into his own during the 2013 India-Australia Test series.
Vijay talked about the epic series and said that he was worried about losing his spot in the team after scoring 10 and 6 in the first match. But Vijay knew it was his time to shine when he scored 167 runs off 361 balls in the second Test at Hyderabad.
“I certainly felt that (career turning point) when I scored my hundred in Hyderabad for my comeback in 2012, if my memory serves me correctly.
I had this hunch around that time when Virender Sehwag and I were opening, I don’t remember the exact year. He approached me and said, “This may be your last Test series.”
And I thought Hyderabad’s innings was pure out and above,” he told Sportstar on Wednesday with WV Raman.
Vijay scored 153 in Mohali, Dhawan’s Test debut, to go along with his second century in the Test series. Vijay never looked back after that.
He quickly gained the reputation of being one of India’s best away batters. In 2014, Vijay scored 146 against England in Nottingham and 144 against Australia in Brisbane. Both of which were among the best scores by an Indian opener away from home this century.
After hitting back-to-back centuries against Sri Lanka in 2017, Vijay was eventually dropped after a poor showing in England in 2018.
But Vijay pointed out that after that Hyderabad innings, he had reached a different level. I had no idea I’d need so much patience and play there. Also, that knock convinced me that I can perform anywhere.
Cricket and my personal situation hit me simultaneously. I never looked back after that. I was completely at ease performing anywhere in the world. “One of the best knocks I’ve ever played was Trent Bridge,” the India opener added.