‘Satisfied’ Murali Vijay keen to do well in ODIs
After a five-year long wait, Murali Vijay finally hit his maiden ODI half-century in the second cricket match against Zimbabwe and the India opener is now determined to make a mark in the 50-over format.
Upon his comeback in the ODI team after two years, Vijay hit 72 off 95 balls — the highest scorer of match — to earn India a series win and a man-of-the-match award.
In fact, it was Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane (63) who laid the foundation for India’s 62-run win with 112 runs opening partnership that helped the visitors put 271 on board.
“I am really happy considering how important the start was for us in these conditions. After the first match we sat together as a team and spoke about it. We said we cannot give away early wickets because it puts pressure on the middle-order,” Vijay told BCCI.TV.
“I felt Ajinkya and I did really well to bat the way we did in the first 10 overs because the ball was doing a bit. I could have got a big one but that is a part of the game. I am satisfied with my performance as in the end the team won.” Vijay had scored just one off nine deliveries in the first ODI, which was his comeback match.
Asked if he approached the second game any differently, the opener said: “To be honest, no. I played only nine balls in the first ODI but I could feel that my feet were moving really well and I was seeing the ball well. I didn’t want to change anything after one game.
“I had to believe in my ability and just focus on backing myself to execute the plan that we went in as a team. I knew there is nothing wrong with my batting. It was just the shot selection issue that came in the picture again.
“Today( on Sunday) I just wanted to take some time in the middle because wickets like these tend to act a bit funny. You feel like you are in but one good ball can suddenly get you out,” said Vijay, who made his ODI debut against South Africa at Ahmedabad in 2010.
The 31-year-old had to work hard for his initial 50 runs before going for a couple of big shots.
“In the first 10 overs I hit a couple of good shots but the ball went straight to the fielder. That’s when I got the sense that things are probably not going my way. So, I decided that rather than pushing for it and doing something different, I should just wait for it,” Vijay said.
“Both Ajinkya and I were rotating the strike well and there was no need to do anything fancy. I felt that the wicket was easing up a bit after the first 10 overs and I thought if I could stay in till the 25th over, I can compensate for the initially low strike-rate,” he added.
Vijay had to endure a frustrating phase when he had injured his wrist and was unable to play big shots, and the Tamil Nadu batsman said it was the Australian Test tour, where he emerged as India’s second-highest run-scorer behind Virat Kohli, which gave his confidence back.
Asked about the two big shots that he played on Sunday in the second ODI, he said: “I always enjoy hitting sixes. After my wrist injury when I could not hold the bat with my natural grip, I had to make a few tweaks so that I don’t aggravate the injury. Because of that I felt like I had lost my range. It was really frustrating and irritating. “But I went through that grind and now after the rehabs and with time I am again feeling good about my wrist and getting that range for big shots back. The Test success helped me get a lot of confidence in terms of my fitness. Now I am getting the whip off my bat I used to get earlier.”
On his partnership with Rahane, Vijay said that they back one another and communicate well. “We both have a positive intent within us. We had some good partnerships in the Test matches in Australia and we have been playing together for a while now. So, I do know his game a little better and he does mine. With us it is very simple.We just back each other, communicate properly, especially with running between the wickets and just take it one plan at a
time.”
