I am aiming for a double century now, says Murali Vijay
Murali Vijay scored a terrific 150 against Bangladesh to help India reach 462/6 declared in 1st innings of the one-off Test at Fatullah. He also architected a 283 run stand with Shikhar Dhawan for the opening wicket partnership.
The Chennai-born Vijay who has 6 centuries to his name in 32 matches with the scores of 139, 167, 153, 146 and 150, wants to score a double ton now.
“Yes, I am aiming for that. I have been batting well and scoring these 140s and 150s. Now it’s time to take another step and aim for a double hundred. To achieve that I am working on my fitness.
“As I said earlier, after having batted long enough to get to 150 your body tires out due to the external factors like the heat and humidity. That affects your mind. If you have the will to do it, you will. I have that will and I am doing everything I can to achieve that. Hopefully, it is around the corner,” Vijay was quoted saying by Indian Express when asked about his love for big scores.
Vijay played an important role in India's 462 for 6 declared and was well supported by Dhawan (173) who was smashing the ball well. He said that off-field friendship helps him and Dhawan to succeed on-field.
“It is said that for the openers it is important to be good friends off the field in order to succeed as a pair on it. And it is absolutely true. Shikhar and I share a very good rapport off the field and that helps us in the middle. Although our games are different, we know each other’s games very well.
“As far as our personalities go, some people think he is the relaxed one and I am the serious one. But while batting it is the other way round. I am more relaxed and he is usually pumped up from inside. We complement each other well in that way,” he said.
The 31-year-old scored 150 off 272 balls which included 12 boundaries and a six. He added saying that concentration is all what you need when you are on field, that's the basic thing.
“I am actually not a very focused person off the field and perhaps, that helps me save all my concentration power for when I am batting. Concentration is the basic requirement if you want to succeed at the international level. When you are batting well and are in good form, your ability to concentrate is what takes you to big scores.
“You have to seize that opportunity to go on and score a big one. Things are not served to you on a platter at this level and you have to make every chance and every moment of good form count,” he said.