Murali Vijay believes that the constant chopping and changing in the India Test squad might have played a part in his inconsistent displays on the tour of England.
The India opening batsman was dropped from the playing XI for the third Test after poor displays at Edgbaston and Lord’s. He was subsequently dropped from the squad altogether after the third Test with youngster Prithvi Shaw being handed a maiden call-up.
The 34-year-old was not picked in the squad for the two upcoming Tests against the West Indies with his fellow opening partner Shikhar Dhawan also being given the axe.
Having just returned to the country after a successful maiden stint in the English county circuit with Essex, Vijay has spoken up on his failings in England.
“Anyone who doesn’t get to play regularly will have some doubts. When you shuffle a lot there will definitely be certain thoughts in the back of your mind over your spot, but the team-management had a different way of looking at things. And when you are part of the team, you have to contribute to the overall cause because that is what matters in the end. You are always judged on the performance. Unfortunately, I didn’t have them,” Vijay was quoted as saying by the New Indian Express.
Vijay has just returned from a successful stint with Essex.
The right-hander’s short stint with Essex turned out to be a fruitful one with the opener slamming one century and three half-centuries in five innings for the outfit. That stint, he believes, has been a great learning curve after the England series disappointments.
“Conditions were tough for batsmen. It was no doubt one of the most challenging conditions. Even the English batsmen struggled to make runs and it is the same with our middle-order as well. None of us could support Virat (Kohli), which is why the defeat hurt a lot. After the Tests, I wanted to see where I stood and Essex was good learning curve for me to score those important runs again,” he explained.
Despite losing his place in the Test squad, Vijay remains upbeat as he gets ready to now turn out for Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
“At the end of the day it is the performance that counts. The past doesn’t matter and it is for others to judge if I deserved to be in the side or not. I’m playing this sport because it gives me joy and that is what I look forward to the most. Ups and downs are part of a cricketer’s career. I have gone through this before,” he added.
