New Delhi:
India Test Opener, Murali Vijay has been going through a rough patch for quite some time now when it comes to his time in the white jersey. First, he was dropped from the national side after the first two disaster Tests against England, after he bagged a pair at the home of cricket. Lord’s, but the resilient opener made it to the team against Australia after a good run in county cricket.
However, Vijay could only manage 11,18,0 and 20 in the four innings he played in Australia in the first two Tests in Adelaide and Perth. The team management’s patience with him was over and he was dropped for the next Test in Melbourne. But Vijay, in an interview with Sportstar made a flamboyant statement and said that he was all set to play in the Boxing Day Test match and was gutted to be dropped for Hanuma Vihari.
“I feel hurt that I am not a part of the Indian team. I am not disappointed. But really hurt. I expected to play the Test. In fact, I was sure I would play the Test. I had batted well in the second innings of the second Test at Perth. I felt I was only one inning away from form,” Vijay said.
“People don’t know or understand me. I don’t see myself competing or feeling threatened by the newcomers. Two years back, I said Prithvi Shaw would play for the country. I am happy for them,” he added.
Vijay further said that he is optimistic of making a comeback into the Indian team. He feels that he has scored close to 4,000 runs in Tests for India in difficult conditions like England and Australia and said that he delivered at a time when India had openers like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.
On his future, Vijay says that he will play until his heart wants him. “I am fit and only 34. I have more Test cricket left in me. Lately, I have been receiving some good deliveries. Then, there have been other factors,” Vijay said that he will have his moments for the Indian team again, before signing off.
