IND vs AFG: Was Trying to Stick to My Basics and It Worked Well for Me - Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay expressed his delight over his smooth transition from T20 cricket to Test cricket after scoring a century on day one of the ongoing Test against Afghanistan in Bengaluru.

After Shikhar Dhawan smashed a ton in the first innings, Vijay took over and scored his 12th hundred in whites.

Opting to bat first, India piled on the runs thanks to hundreds from both its openers. Dhawan had made 107 runs in just 96 balls while Vijay reached the triple figures in 143 balls. At stumps on day one, India were 347 for six.

After the game, Vijay was interview by Australian great, Matthew Hayden where he expressed his delight over his knock.

“Coming after IPL and getting into Test cricket was a different ball game altogether.  I was mentally prepared but then again a match is a different feel altogether. I was trying to stick to my basics and it worked well for me,” he said on bcci.tv.

While Dhawan was hitting the Afghans all over the park, scoring his century off just 87 balls, Vijay was playing in his usual style of taking his time before going for the shots.

When asked about the reason behind it, he said the visitors were bowling well to the right-handers.

“Not really. I thought they were bowling in good channels to the right-handers and Shikhy (Shikhar Dhawan) was getting the flow going. So, I thought of taking my time when the ball was doing a bit in the initial phase.  I wanted to take my time and not do something silly.  I need to get that game period before England so wanted to play as long as possible,” said the right-handed batsman.

India’s day of dominance turned a bit sour towards the end when Afghanistan took five wickets in the final session.

Spinner Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who had struggled early on, made a significant mark by taking a wicket apiece in the final session. Vijay said the spinners were getting help when the ball became older.

“When the ball got a little older, it started spinning a bit more. So the batsmen who went in felt a little difficult to read the spinners,” he concluded.