Murali Vijay in confident mood for Adelaide Test after his ton in drawn tour game

Sudhir Gupta 17:19 01/12/2018
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  • A timely century from opener Murali Vijay.

    Veteran opening batsman Murali Vijay is raring to go in the opening Test against Australia at Adelaide after striking a quick-fire ton in India’s drawn tour game against a Cricket Australia XI at Sydney.

    Vijay slammed a 132-ball 129 in India’s second innings on Saturday with the help of 16 boundaries and five sixes. The tourists posted 211-2 in their second innings before stumps were drawn at the Sydney Cricket Ground with KL Rahul chipping in with a 62.

    With youngster Prithvi Shaw ruled out of the Adelaide Test after sustaining an ankle injury in the warm-up clash on Friday, Vijay seems certain to open the innings for India alongside Rahul.

    The 34-year-old is more than ready to take guard for India at the Adelaide Oval, a venue where he struck a 99 and 53 four years ago in his side’s 48-run loss to Australia.

    “Basically, I am ready, I just want to go out there and contribute and give a good start for my team,” Vijay was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au following his ton against Cricket Australia XI.

    “I have always been aiming at that and nothing different this time. It’s an interesting series for us and hopefully we can start it well.

    “Always feels good to go to grounds where you have scored runs, it helps you a lot and I have good memories of it and looking forward to the Adelaide Test.”

    The right-hander has just returned to the Test setup after being unceremoniously dropped from the squad after bagging a pair in the Lord’s Test against England. Having missed out on selection for the home series against West Indies, Vijay is eager to make the most of his second life.

    “You have to work and find ways to work things out. If you are not part of the team, you have to make sure you keep your work ethics at the top level and once you get the chance you have to be ready to go,” explained Vijay.

    “That was my basic fundamental after being dropped in England until now.”

    The first of the four scheduled Tests between Australia and India will get underway at the Adelaide Oval on December 6.

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