England vs India 2018: Is it the End of Road for Murali Vijay?

Over the years, we have seen many India players facing the ultimate axe after a certain overseas tour. Possibly, Murali Vijay could enter the list after faring pretty poorly for India in the ongoing five-match Test series against England.

After the England bowlers had the better of Vijay in the first two Tests, the India opener was benched for the third game. James Anderson, in particular, had Vijay on a pair at Lord’s. In the four innings, he had played on the English soil this year, Vijay has managed just 26 runs at an average of 6.50.

However, the other openers didn’t perform up to the mark either, Vijay lost his place in line to returning Shikhar Dhawan for the Trent Bridge game.

Youngsters roaring in for Murali Vijay’s place –

Indian cricket has become such a cruel sport where the vacancies in the team are getting filled in split moments. Once a player is out of the side, it probably takes a considerable time for him to make a way back provided the slot still requires him.

The youngsters are making sound performances in the domestic circuit and are pushing the selectors to create a place for them. Coming to Murali Vijay, he now has faced the axe for the remaining two Tests, and instead, Mumbai’s Prithvi Shaw has got his maiden cut into the Test arena.

He along with middle-order batsman, Hanuma Vihari have been roped in for the fourth and fifth Test against England.

Meanwhile, Murali Vijay’s last good knock is hardly remembered. Injuries during his peak time also left him stranded as well. However, he made a good comeback in the team, but unfortunately, couldn’t quite carry on.

BCCI has given enough chances to the Tamil Nadu batsman as well. They asked him to open in South Africa and then gave him a ticket to tour England. But, much his disappointment, Vijay never looked comfortable in dealing under offshore conditions.

Now, with the Australia tour coming up later this year, Murali Vijay has to grind himself to get back into form.

Ranji Trophy, the last chance for Murali Vijay:

The feasible option for Vijay to make a comeback to the India team is upcoming Ranji Trophy season. He would be eyeing to score as many as big tallies to find a place in the team again.

With Shikhar Dhawan being a tricky customer at opening slot when India tours overseas, probably, Vijay might push the selectors if he gets handsome of runs under his kitty. KL Rahul too walking on a thin ice.