It’s been five months since Murali Vijay played international cricket. With India having a series of challenging away tours lined up, one of the three scribes who caught up with him at the Covelong Point Surf, Music and Yoga Festival in the shores of Kovalam, wondered if his game would be a “little here and there” when he gets back.
“You never forget to brush your teeth,” replied Vijay, immediately after the reporter had finished his question.
It wasn’t an intentional retort, for, as he explained, playing cricket has been his routine since he was 10. The game’s been an integral part of his life for over 275 months now. So, a five-month absence from its international stage doesn’t worry the 33-year-old much.
In fact, he – enjoying the sun, sand, and music at Kovalam – doesn’t want to think about the impending challenges of facing the fiery pace of South Africa or surviving the swing bowlers in England.
“At the moment I am not thinking about it,” he says, “I strongly believe in my abilities. As the series nears, I’d work accordingly on what I am lacking at that moment and try to be better.”
Kagiso Rabada and Stuart Broad can wait. For now, Vijay’s trying to enjoy the festival which is a delightful mash-up of music, yoga, slacklining, surfing and food.
Vijay was vital for the Indian line-up during the team’s previous visits to South Africa and England. The new ball, which makes a batsman’s life especially difficult in these regions, he handled remarkably well. In fact, in England, he was India’s leading run-scorer (402).
For the good performances of his fellow openers in the squad, Shikhar Dhawan and K. L. Rahul, in Sri Lanka, he is happy. The backing of the team management, he believes, he has. So, according to him, “it’s about you getting back with the right mindset.”
Comments
SHARE