Murali Vijay: Top 3 knocks in international cricket

Murali Vijay, a veteran opening batsman for India who played in 61 Tests, 17 ODIs, and nine T20 Internationals, announced his retirement on January 30. The now 38-year-old made his international debut on November 2008 in Nagpur against Australia. His final game was also against the same opponents in December 2018. The Tamil Nadu cricketer put up some memorable knocks which led to India’s victory in the Test format:

3) 153 vs Australia, March 2013

Australia toured India for a four-match series in 2013. Winning the first two games, India had been riding high on confidence when the two sides met for the third Test. Four Australians scored half-centuries, which helped Australia get to 408 in the first innings. As India started their innings, Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan partnered for a 289-run stand. Vijay played a stoic 153(317) knock, and the centuries helped India gain a lead, and eventually win the game.

2) 167 vs Australia, March 2013

Vijay was in great form when Australia toured India in 2013. India won the first game and Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara’s brilliance helped them win the second Test in Hyderabad. After Australia declared the first innings for 237/9, Vijay handed India the perfect start and went on to notch up his highest Test score of 167 (361). Pujara’s double-century then led India to 503 in the innings and India won the game by innings and 135 runs.

1) 95 vs England, July 2014

Murali Vijay had been in great form when India toured England in 2014. In the second Test at Lord’s, Vijay failed to put up a show in the first innings and was dismissed after scoring 24 runs, but he showcased great resilience in the second innings. He batted for 378 minutes, faced 247 deliveries, and score 95 while forming partnerships with six. Though he could not get to a century, his brilliance, followed by Ishant Sharma’s seven-wicket haul helped India win the game by 95 runs.