I wasn’t aware how much I was batting on: Vijay

December 17, 2014 03:50 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 04:50 pm IST - Brisbane

Murali Vijay celebrates after scoring a century on day one of the second cricket test against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Murali Vijay celebrates after scoring a century on day one of the second cricket test against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday.

M. Vijay had a sense of fulfilment after the first day’s play here on Wednesday. Four of his five centuries have come against Australia, but his effort at the ’Gabba here on Wednesday would have to be ranked the highest.

“I always like to play against Australia. When I was a kid, I used to see a lot of knocks played by Sachin paajii against the Aussies on video. I also saw Dravid get that double hundred in Adelaide and win the Test for us,” he said. “Those were inspiring moments. And V.V.S. Laxman…every time he came up against Australia, he produced special things. Those are the knocks we have seen as youngsters.”

“It (Australia) is one of the best teams. Getting runs against the best always helps you get confidence.”

Asked why he had to be informed by non-striker Ajinkya Rahane that he had got to his hundred, Vijay replied: “Actually I wasn’t aware of how much I was batting on. Ajinkya was the non-striker, and he told me that I got a hundred. Only then did I realise that I had scored it.”

“It’s good in a way that I didn’t see the score. I knew I was on 99 when I got out last time.”

On him continuing to leave so many deliveries outside off-stump, Vijay said: “It was much easier to leave on a bouncier wicket than at Adelaide”

Talking about his innings, Vijay said, “You can go close to perfection, you can’t be hundred per cent perfect in life. That’s what I believe. I think I did pretty well today.”

On the heat, he said: “It was testing us all. I could see that the bowlers were getting tired. So I waited and made use of it. We Indians are better suited to deal with these conditions.”

On his game-plan, Vijay said, “You got to have a plan to play at this level. I am just sticking to it and keeping myself as close as possible to the basics.”

Vijay thanked coach Duncan Fletcher, the support staff and all those who had helped him prepare in Chennai.

When probed about Cheteshwar Pujara’s dismissal and India’s refusal to use DRS, Vijay said, “In my opinion it was a bad decision. But there are human beings out there. It is part of the game. I cannot comment on the DRS.”

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