Injury woes hit Murali Vijay ahead of Sri Lanka Test series

India’s Test opener Murali Vijay suffered an injury during Tamil Nadu’s ongoing Ranji Trophy game against Andhra Pradesh. Vijay retired hurt on 13 off 52 deliveries in the 2nd innings of the match. The right-hand batsman failed to make a mark in the first innings as well, being dismissed after scoring just 4 runs.

Tamil Nadu have found it hard to score runs in the game so far. They were bundled out for a mere 176 in the first innings. Baba Aparajith’s lone half-century was the only notable performance in the innings. In reply Andhra piled on 309 runs, riding on Bodapati Sumanth’s fine 109, while Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with 4 wickets for TM.

Vijay has been an invaluable asset in India‘s Test squad. He’s delivered for his captain on a regular basis, with solid and patient knocks at the top of the order. He shone in the one-off Test against Bangladesh earlier this year with a fine 108 and followed it up with a steady 82 against the Australians in the drawn Test in Ranchi.

Monk, as he is otherwise known, exhibits a marked sense of composure while at the crease. He has taken a particular liking towards building long partnerships with the other Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara. The duo have been in the limelight since a year for their consistency in the longest format. As a result, both Vijay and Pujara were given top BCCI contracts in March this year.

Upcoming assignment

However, the Indian team management will be concerned about Vijay’s availability for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka which kicks-off on November 16 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. India are scheduled to play 3 Test matches against the Lankans, followed by a limited overs series of 3 ODIs and 3 T20s.

Vijay was last seen in Test attire against Australia in March this year. He scored just 19 runs in the Test match, but India defeated the Aussies in the fourth and final Test in Dharamshala to clinch the hard-fought series 2-1.