Murali Vijay Targets Sri Lanka Series For Comeback

India’s Test opener Murali Vijay is targeting India’s tour of Sri Lanka in July to return to action. The right-handed batsman is on the sidelines since the conclusion of the four-match Test series against Australia in April. The 33-year old, who missed the entire Indian Premier League this year,  underwent a wrist surgery in London and has since been spending time recuperating.

India is currently in England for the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy following which they will travel to West Indies for five One Day Internationals and one T20 International. The series in the Caribbeans will end on July 9 and as per reports, Virat Kohli & Co. will soon leave for a full-fledged series in Sri Lanka.

One of India’s most consistent Test batsmen in the last couple of years or so, Vijay had previously revealed that he had played through India’s marathon home season of 13 Tests with a fractured wrist. But keeping aside the pain, the opening batsman starred for the Indian team as the Virat Kohli-led side registered series victories over New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia.

The Tamil Nadu star is currently working on his fitness in Chennai with Rajinikanth, a trainer at National Cricket Academy and hopes to start batting again in the coming days.

“I am in the process of recovering. Have a few more days to go. I want to be at my best fitness-wise. I think I am in the right hands. He (Rajinikanth) is one of the best when it comes to rehab work. I am lucky to be working with him at the right time. The aim is to be a fitter cricketer,” Vijay told PTI.

“I have had an operation. I am hoping all will be well and I should be alright by then. I got the time to think about myself and my batting while concentrating on my fitness,” he said about the injury enforced break.

“I am working on my fitness part. I can’t rush my return as I have had a surgery. I will go by the doctors’ advice,” he added.

Of the 13 Tests in the home season that began in September, Vijay missed only one game and finished the long season as India’s third-highest run-getter with 771 runs, averaging 36.71, behind Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli. He scored three fifties and as many centuries during the season.

The stylish batsman further said he is still harbouring hopes of representing India in the limited-overs format. A regular in the Test team, Vijay has played only 17 ODIs and nine T20 Internationals so far since making his debut way back in 2010. But consistent failure in the colored jersey has cost him his place in the team.

“I know I have the game to play and do well in all three formats. For that fitness is an important aspect and I am working towards that,” he said.

He also sounded pleased with India’s performance in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy where the Men in Blue have booked their place in the final. The Virat Kohli-led side will take on Pakistan in the title-decider on Sunday (June 18).

“Great to watch the way we are playing. It is our time to dominate,” he said.