I wanted to stay at the wicket: Vijay

Sehwag faces an uncertain future as Delhiite fails one more time

Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay, both of different pedigree but combined by their present predicament, were sailing in the similar boat when they stepped out on Sunday morning to resume India’s innings, having survived three overs on Saturday.

At the end of the day, Vijay had bought himself a considerable time while Sehwag’s future appears uncertain what with India in a situation from where they may not be required to bat again in the match. For the record, the hosts finished the second day on an impressive 311/1, a lead of 74 runs on Australia’s 237/9 declared.

Vijay, who struck an unbeaten 129 (288b, 17x4, 2x6), was largely responsible for India’s commanding position along with Cheteshwar Pujara, batting on 162 (251b, 25x4, 1x6). With their places in the squad at stake, and probably their respective careers, both were desperate to come up with innings of some substance but only Vijay succeeded in achieving that.

“I don’t know about that,” said Vijay when asked if he has cemented his place in the side for some time to come. “But I’m really happy at the moment for the performance. It has helped the team big time, so I am really happy for that,” he remarked.

Though part of the squad during the Test series against England, Vijay didn’t get any opportunity but with Gautam Gambhir shown the door, the right-hander was a definite starter against Australia. His comeback game, however, was forgettable, collecting two low scores. The 28-year-old knew this would be his last chance to stay in the side. 

“The last game really hit me hard because I gave my wicket away in the second innings,” he pointed out. “This time, I just wanted to stay at the wicket for as long as possible. So that was my intention. It didn’t matter how the wicket was, my thinking was to give a good start for the team. And it happened. It is a nice wicket to bat on if you apply yourself. It is not easy to get runs but it is getting better,” he reasoned. Vijay admitted there was pressure before coming into this Test.

“To be honest, pressure was there. I’m a person who doesn’t get pressurised from criticism. Basically, I was thinking that I made a mistake in the second innings of the first Test match rather than the first innings. I should have just come back not out which didn’t happen. So I was just ready for this game. But I was preparing the way to fight it out there as long as possible and maybe if a good ball comes (and I get out), then it is fine. I just wanted to stay and not give my wicket away,” he explained while adding that the partnership with Pujara was wonderful.

This is the first instance that the batsman is playing as a first-choice opener unlike in past when he always came in as a replacement. 

“Every innings in the international circuit is very important for everybody.  I was really pumped up to play this series and that is what I really worked for. When I got it, I just wanted to hang in there and show what I am capable of.”