Murali Vijay deserves another chance in the Indian Test team feels Gundappa Vishwanath

Former India cricketer Gundappa Vishwanath believes opener Murali Vijay deserves another chance to prove himself in the longest format for Team India. He was axed from the national side after two consecutive failures against England in the Test series earlier this year. The opening batsman, however, has a formidable record, especially when playing overseas. However, Vijay found himself on a flight back home after the Test at Lord’s and currently awaits his chance to squeeze back into the team.

In four appearances against England, he managed to score just 26 runs. He had considerable problems with the swinging delivery, having been dismissed by the fast bowlers early on in the innings on all four occasions. Ahead of the third Test in Nottingham, Vijay was sent back home as KL Rahul took his place as the opener along with Shikhar Dhawan.

However, the Tamil Nadu batsman came back to England for a county stint with Essex, where he scored runs aplenty. In 5 innings, Vijay amassed as many as 323 runs, including a century and three 50+ scores.

Vijay has proved himself at the highest level: Vishwanath

Vijay was then back in India representing Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, hoping he’d be called back for the Windies Test series. That, however, wasn’t meant to be, as the selectors chose to side with young Prithvi Shaw, who made a telling impact from his very first Test innings.

The 18-year old has already scored more than 200 runs in his first two Test appearances and looks a solid player. However, with his partner KL Rahul going through some serious problems with the bat, Vijay could just make it back to India’s Test squad when India travel to Australia.

When asked if the Tamil Nadu batsman should be given another opportunity, Gundappa Vishwanath thinks he definitely should. “He has proved himself as an opener and at the highest level. He scored runs when India played in Australia last time. Of course he deserves one more chance,” he said while talking to TOI.

The last time India travelled to Australia for a Test series was in 2014, Vijay made substantial contributions to his side. The opener finished as the third highest run-getter in the 4-match series, with 482 runs at an average of 60.25. He also boasted of the highest score of 144, which he got in the 2nd Test at the Gabba. India went on to lose the series 0-2.

India take on Australia in yet another 4-match Test series later this year, which gets underway on December 6 at the Adelaide Oval.

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