Murali Vijay, one of India’s most talented cricket players, brings much more than just his bat, pads, and gloves to the crease. When the conditions are right and he flicks on his invisible switch, he becomes a joy to watch. However, when that switch is off, he often finds himself struggling even on the most favorable pitches. Despite his ups and downs, Vijay has made a name for himself in Indian cricket.
Born on April 1, 1984, in Chennai, Murali Vijay developed a passion for cricket at a young age. He first gained attention in his early years in first-class cricket for his ability to convert promising starts into massive scores. One memorable performance saw him contribute to a breathtaking 462-run opening stand with Abhinav Mukund. This remarkable achievement earned him a place in the Indian Test side in 2008-09, replacing Gautam Gambhir, who was serving a ban. Sadly, his opportunities in Test cricket remained limited.
Nevertheless, Vijay found success in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Although the IPL coincided with a period of fewer significant scores for him, he demonstrated his skill in crucial matches. Unfortunately, this phase seemed to have affected his patience and technique. For four long years, Vijay scored only two first-class centuries, the same number as his T20 centuries. Furthermore, he endured a disappointing series as a Test opener against the West Indies in 2011.
Fortunately, Vijay’s fortunes took a turn for the better in the 2012-13 Test series against Australia. Here, he impressed selectors with his improved back-foot play and ability to play patiently. Back-to-back scores of 150 cemented his place in the side. His incredible form continued, with a remarkable seven out of 13 first-class hundreds being scores of 150 or more. As a result, he earned a recall to the ODI side for the 2013 Champions Trophy, although he failed to make the starting eleven due to a poor run in warm-up games.
Vijay emerged as India’s premier opener during the 2014-15 Test series in Australia, where he became the second-highest run-scorer behind Virat Kohli. His success on this tour was attributed to subtle changes in his batting technique. Despite his noteworthy performances, Vijay was surprisingly left out of the squad for the 2015 World Cup.
Murali Vijay’s cricketing journey has been one of highs and lows. Known for his ability to either thrill or struggle at the crease, Vijay has showcased his talent on both domestic and international stages. With his impressive performances in Test cricket and the IPL, Vijay has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. As he continues to develop his skills, cricket fans eagerly anticipate witnessing more of his trademark shots and breathtaking innings.
