IND v ENG: Murali Vijay Just One Knock Away From Striking Form, Says Anil Kumble
Jan 18, 2019 at 6:49 PM
Murali Vijay, India’s Test opener, started the England series in style with a century in the Rajkot Test but failed to replicate it the next two games at Vizag and Mohali. His sudden slump in form has now become a matter of concern and Vijay will look to take immediate corrective measures in order to put less pressure on both Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Virat Kohli in the remaining Tests.
In the last Test, both Pujara and Kohli scored century to guide India to their second win of the series against England. Vijay failed to get past the 20-run mark throughout the match while his new opening partner Parthiv Patel played brilliantly in both innings.
But despite of all of this, India head coach Anil Kumble is optimistic that Vijay – being a high quality batsman – is just one knock away from returning back to form.
“Vijay is someone who has been a consistent batsman for us over a past couple of years,” Kumble said.
“Yes, obviously he started off the series very well in Rajkot but he has been out on similar kind of deliveries and you can point that it’s his weakness which is fair. He is just one knock away from striking from. We got back in the nets and helped him with that kind of delivery and I don’t think that we need to go too deep in that. It’s just a matter of time and he will start scoring runs and he has been consistent for us,” he added.
The fourth Test of the series will be played at the iconic Wankhede stadium from December 8. If India manage to win it or even if it is a draw, it’ll mark their first Test series win against England since 2008.