Given the abundance of bright and gifted players in Indian cricket, it is only natural to overlook their contributions in the presence of legends like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and others. There were a few players that served as a bridge for the changeover from the Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar era before Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane became the core of India’s middle order in Test matches. Some players rose to prominence between 2008 and 2014, when MS Dhoni served as captain. Murali Vijay was one of the most well-known of these players.
Vijay, who became known as “The Monk,” played for India in 67 Test matches and amassed nearly 4000 runs at an average of 38.28, including 12 centuries and 15 fifties. Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan developed into one of India’s most effective opening combinations in Test matches, scoring hundreds both at home and away. To better comprehend Vijay’s career, however, it can be divided into two periods: the period prior to 2011 and the period following 2012.
Vijay was a bright talent between 2008 and 2011, but the Test series between India and Australia in 2013 was when the batter really found his groove. Vijay recalled the great series and shared how, after the opening match, which ended with scores of 10 and 6, he was afraid of losing his position on the team. However, Vijay realised it was his time to shine after scoring 167 off 361 balls in the second Test in Hyderabad.
“I definitely felt that (turning point of career) when I scored my hundred in Hyderabad for my comeback – it was 2012 if I am not wrong. I don’t know the exact year but around that time, when Virender Sehwag and myself were opening, I had this hint. He came to my saying ‘This might be your last Test series’. And I felt Hyderabad innings was something pure out and above,” he said on the Wednesday with WV Raman for Sportstar.
Vijay scored 153 in the very next Test, which was also Dhawan’s first Test, to follow up his second century. Vijay never looked back after that. He soon assumed the reputation of being one of India’s top batters away. In 2014, Vijay scored two of the best scores ever by an Indian opener while playing away from home—146 against England in Nottingham and a respectable 144 against Australia in Brisbane. Vijay would later score back-to-back century against Sri Lanka in 2017 before being dismissed permanently in 2018 due to a bad performance in England. However, Vijay noted that following that Hyderabad, he had advanced to a new level.
“I never thought I would be having so much patience and play there. And that knock gave me the faith and belief that I can perform anywhere. The situation of my personal life and cricket hit me together. After that I never looked back. I completely had the confidence to go and perform anywhere in the world. Trent Bridge was one of the best knocks I have played,” added the India opener.