This Hundred Is Very Special: Murali Vijay After Guiding India To Ascendancy

Dec 11, 2016 at 10:56 AM

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This Hundred Is Very Special: Murali Vijay After Guiding India To Ascendancy

Before the match started, India  head coach Anil Kumble had said that a big score was around the corner for Murali Vijay who had struggled to get going in the Vizag and Mohali Test. The opening batsman had started the series with a century in Rajkot but his scores in the next four innings were 20,3, 12 and 0. But he roared back to form in fine fashion as his brilliant knock of 136 runs in the first innings has put India in a strong position.

Speaking after the day’s play, the Tamil Nadu opener said that the knock in Wankhede is a special one for him. Refusing to reveal the preparation he had done prior to the match, he said that the eight days break helped to think about his game.

He said:“The hundred is very special because I started off well in the series, (but) in a couple of matches could not play the way I wanted to play. I was getting out too early. In this innings, I came out with a clearer mindset and just wanted to back my instinct and play. The break helped me to go and rethink and the comeback better. I was playing the balls which I generally leave. A lot of other factors to it. But I won’t reveal them. But yes, the plan was to back my core game.

Speaking about his batting strategy on a pitch that was assisting the spinners, he said:“My game plan is to attack the spinners. I don’t want them to settle in one particular area where they find it comfortable. So, I wanted to use my feet and the depth of the crease and play according to my game plan. It came out very well, I guess.

“England spinners bowled pretty well in patches. But Virat (Kohli) and I played really well,” he added.

Speaking about the Wankhede pitch, he said: “I think it is a very true wicket for Test format because everybody had to work their game plans and got to be very clear in their mindset to deliver. The bowlers had to work their plans out. It is a fantastic wicket to play this game.”

When asked about Virat Kohli’s batting, he refused to comment on it by saying:“I will actually not comment on this (Kohli’s form with the bat) because he is improving every day. Currently, he is batting in his prime, which is great for us. I hope he can continue it for a longer period of time.”

The India captain once again led his team from the front and helped it to take the first innings lead. India was reeling at 307 for 6, but he added 57 runs with Jadeja and then 87 runs with Jayant Yadav as India finished the day with 451 runs, 51 runs ahead of England’s first innings total.

When Vijay was asked whether India is firmly in control of this Test, he said:“Any lead is gold on this wicket. During the tea time, we thought; let’s get close to England’s total. But with the way Virat and Jayant Yadav are batting, we are in a pretty good position now.”

Meanwhile, the batting star dedicated his century to his friend Srinath’s late father, who passed away on the first day of the match.

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