I Am Trying To Work On Basics Says Murali Vijay Ahead Of South Africa Tour
Published - 26 Dec 2017, 09:45 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:47 PM
Upcoming India tour of South Africa, where Murali Vijay will open, would be one of the toughest tests for the Indian team in past three years. Since the day Virat Kohli has taken over the captaincy role in Test cricket (for a complete series), team India hasn’t travelled outside Asia and West Indies for a Tests series.
The team has maintained a good record and hasn’t lost a test series under Kohli till now. For the first time, Kohli’s boys will face a tough test under him when they tour to South Africa for three Test matches, Six ODIs and three T20Is.
It will be the Test series which will gain most attraction as Kohli will have a tough task to create history. The main mantra to success for the side will be the pace bowling, whose members will have the responsibility to take 20 wickets in Test matches and the other responsibility will be on the opening batsmen, who will have the task to provide a good start to the Indian team.
Out of the three openers viz Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul, two have toured to South Africa, which is one of the best things.
Vijay, who recently made a comeback to the Test side during Sri Lanka Test series, ahead of the South Africa tour, has said that he is trying to keep his mind open and is working on the basics,
“It’s about going out there and expressing yourself. I have been to South Africa a couple of times. It’s going to be critical on how fast we assess the situation. It’s too early to think what’s going to happen out there. I’m trying to keep my mind open and do my basics right,” he told TOI.
Vijay had a good 2016/17 season and was one of the best batsmen for the side. Despite suffering from a wrist injury, he played in the season and did well. He was later ruled out of IPL and Sri Lanka tour.
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He made a comeback for the home Sri Lanka Test matches and got his opportunity only when Shikhar Dhawan was released from the for the second Test. Vijay scored a century in the Nagpur Test on his comeback and sealed a place for himself for the third Test.
In Delhi Test, there were hopes that Vijay might lose the race to KL Rahul but Kohli relied on Vijay, who scored a century in his second comeback game too. He repaid the trust shown on him by the skipper.
It is confirmed that he will be opening the innings with Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul will have to wait for his chance. If only any of the openers fail in first two Tests, then only KL Rahul will get his chance.
Vijay, who scored 148 runs in two Test matches on the previous South Africa tour, also said that knowing the conditions of a country provides a player with an edge,
“You know the conditions better, you have a better feel of the ground and the opposition attack as well. You have experienced it once. It gives you an edge on how you are going to prepare this time. The conditions are going to be testing. As long as you are expressing your plans, he should do well,” he added.
The India tour of South Africa starts on January 5. The series comprises of three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is. Indian team is yet to win a Test series in South Africa.
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