Murali Vijay fulfilled a childhood dream of playing a pivotal role in an Indian win at Lord’s and notched up a hundred in Nottingham. In an otherwise disastrous campaign in Ol’ Blighty, the opener returned creditable numbers – 402 runs at 40.20 from five Tests – opening the innings in demanding conditions.
The 30-year-old Vijay shared his views on the tour in a conversation with The Hindu on Tuesday.
How disappointed are you with the fact that India caved in so alarmingly after beginning the series promisingly? The last two Tests got away from India in the first two sessions.
This is a young side, with only a handful of players with previous Test experience in England. It was a learning experience for us. There is a lot of ability in the side. Things can get tough in England where conditions play a major part. We will bounce back in Australia.
From a personal standpoint, your 95 at Lord’s where the ball was doing a lot played a major role in victory. Then there was your hundred in the first Test at Nottingham…
The surface at Lord’s had bounce, seam and swing. Someone had to put his hand up for the team against a quality pace attack. My century at Nottingham enabled India start the series well.
What were the technical adjustments you made for England? Your back-swing was straight and you appeared to have a good idea of the off-stump.
The idea was to play in the ‘V’ and then gradually expand the ‘V’. I did a lot of work at the IIT-Chemplast ground before the series with my coach Jayakumar. In England, I deliberately took the cut shot out of my repertoire since it is not productive in those conditions.
I worked on my mental make up as well. I must acknowledge the contribution of the TNCA, Bharat Arun sir and Bharat Reddy sir who have all donned important roles in the development of my game.
What was your most productive shot in England?
When I left the ball outside off! Playing and leaving is an art that is important for an opener in Tests.
Did anyone inspire you to play this way?
I had watched videos of England’s previous Test series against Sri Lanka where Kumar Sangakkara left a lot of deliveries outside off and then gradually got on top of the bowling. I learnt that you got to be patient in England.
Is there any advice ahead of the series that you remember?
Rahul Dravid told me ‘you got to take responsibility’ and that much depended on ‘you organising yourself’ in England. Obviously discipline is a big part of that.
What, according to you, was the series’ turning point?
Broad got a five-for in the third Test and that lifted the confidence levels of England’s entire bowling unit.
How difficult was it to face Anderson and Broad in those conditions?
Both are different. Anderson gets late swing both ways and bowls in the high 80 kmph speeds. There is little scope for misjudgement. Broad is a hit-the-deck seam bowler who gets bounce from back-of-a-length.
Your form tapered off as the series progressed…
I got a good delivery in the first innings of the third Test at Southampton. In the second innings, I was run-out. I lost momentum after that.
Was countering the Dukes ball an added challenge in the conditions that probed a batsman’s footwork?
It had a more pronounced seam and swung for a longer period. You are bound to get some very good deliveries since the pitches too retain moisture.
Do you agree with Stephen Fleming’s view that cricketers such as you and Cheteshwar Pujara should take a break from IPL to play county cricket?
No I do not agree. For a modern cricketer, the key is to succeed in all formats. Take Faf du Plessis for example. He can be a defensive batsman in Tests but can also be explosive in Twenty20 cricket.
However, you do agree that playing county cricket has its advantages.
Yes, it has. You are on your own as a professional cricketer, are exposed to different conditions and travel so much.
It can make you a more complete cricketer. But this should not be at the expense of the IPL.
Would you advocate more bouncy pitches for domestic cricket?
We all would want to, but then the Ranji Trophy is dictated so much by the individual placings of the team and the points table. The conditions are also different in different parts of the country. The surface at Lahli has seam movement and bounce.
But some other pitches in the warmer parts of the country are different since there is lesser moisture.
Any comments on the recent team-management changes ?
I am not allowed to speak on that subject. But I must say skipper Dhoni was very helpful to me and the others, and led by example.
India’s close catching left a lot to be desired in the series.
We are evolving in that area as well and with time will make the minor adjustments that are so important.
Don’t forget we are taking over from a great bunch of close catchers, particularly in the slips.
Catching in different conditions calls for experience. In England, the ball can swerve away from you or dip.
