Murali Vijay steps on the gas against offie Jake Carder

Vijay looked in ominous touch with the bat.

Published - 01 Dec 2018, 13:08 IST | Updated - 01 Dec 2018, 13:08 IST

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Indian right-handed batsman Murali Vijay had a torrid time of late in international cricket. He flattered to deceive in England and was subsequently dropped from the national team. However, the experienced campaigner have somehow managed to stake his claim back into the Indian side on the backs of some brilliant knocks for Essex in the English County Championship.

He scored a half-century followed by a ton in the very first match and the performances didn’t elude the eyes of the selectors. He was thereafter included for the four-match Test series against Australia. Prior to that, India played a warm-up match against Cricket Australia XI at Sydney Cricket Ground. Vijay didn’t get to bat in the first innings, but was impressive in the second innings.

Vijay goes berserk

The experienced batsman opened the batting with KL Rahul and notched 129 runs from 132 balls with the help of 16 boundaries and five sixes. During his knock, he was severe on most bowlers, especially off-spin bowler Jake Carder. In fact, he took Carder for 26 runs in one over to reach his century from a score of 74. In the first ball, Vijay found the fence at long off.

The next delivery was smacked for a boundary to mid-wicket as Vijay latched on to a short delivery. Carder dished out a short delivery and this time around, Vijay was able to clear the ropes. He ran a couple to reach his 90s. He smacked another six through mid-wicket, taking advantage of another loose delivery from Carder. Vijay didn’t stop taking on the bowler.

He whacked another delivery through mid-wicket to reach his century off 118 balls. Carder didn’t have any respite even after that as Vijay hit him for two more sixes in the 41st over. He gave away 41 runs in his two overs without any success. Daniel Fallins castled Vijay to end the masterful knock. The dismissal also led to the conclusion of the match, which ended in a draw.