Twitterati feel Murali Vijay's doors are closed in Tests

He scored only 26 runs in 4 innings against England which led to his axing.

Published - 24 Aug 2018, 21:16 IST | Updated - 24 Aug 2018, 21:16 IST

2 Min Read

The selection panel led by MSK Prasad took a big decision post India’s historic victory over England at Trent Bridge. They dropped their experienced opener Murali Vijay who was on the sidelines in the third Test as well. Prithvi Shaw replaced him and the inclusion of 18-year-old batsman proved that they are looking forward now. Vijay is already 34 and it will be tough for him to make a comeback.

Vijay was one of the best batsmen for India four years ago on this tour and he was tipped to do well again. But he failed to replicate a similar form. The opener had struggled in South Africa as well and could only muster 26 runs in four innings including a pair at Lord’s which led to his axing for the must-win game.

Is Vijay done?

To make things worse for him, the new opening duo of KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan batted beautifully and forged two fifty-plus stands in both the innings in Nottingham. They looked sound in their technique and it is clear that the visitors wouldn’t want to tinker with that combination. He would’ve anyways warmed the bench for the rest of the series which is the reason he might have dropped.

Vijay will now have to go through the grind of Ranji Trophy and score runs in abundance in the upcoming season. Despite scoring runs will he be considered again? What if Shaw gets a chance in the upcoming matches and latches on to his opportunity which he’s been doing every time he takes the field? The batsman who averages close to 40 in Test cricket after 59 matches might not feature in the Indian team again.

Only an injury to one of the certain openers for him to make a comeback. Though he has a great chance to make a statement in the domestic circuit as Team India will be touring Australia later this year. As of now, it looks like curtains are down for Vijay in the longest format.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

I believe Murali Vijay already played the last test in his career.. #IndvsEng
— SouthIndian3.0 (@D4Dilipan) August 23, 2018

So basically BCCI has made a statement that it is all over for Rohit in White's and Murali in his Life…
Time to say goodbye to both of them…👋👋👋
End of Chapter called Murali Vijay….@ImRo45 @mvj888 @BCCI #INDvENG #ENGvIND
— Sujith Kolap (@KolapSujith) August 22, 2018

So Murali Vijay's career is ending for sure..? Looks likely. Well Gambhir's legacy will remain intact (3rd best indian opener after gavaskar & sehwag). Happy that team got rid of this deadwood fella..
— Balajee K. A – பாலாஜி கு. அ (@BalumaDoluma) August 22, 2018

Murali vijay afraid to say but at age of 35 he would be able to comeback seems difficult..He cauld have been given some more time but he had a good career as a opener for india but time has run out now
— 🧡🌼💚Arsh (@arsh2397) August 22, 2018

Thank you #MuraliVijay
Monked!
— Ravi Kalle (@rt_Kalle) August 22, 2018

Murali vijay @mvj888 getting dropped is a sign that is international career is coming to an end. @RaviShastriOfc @imVkohli Should have kept him till the last test unless they are going to give Prithvi a chance @bhogleharsha @BCCI
— Narsimhan (@msNarsi) August 22, 2018

Guess thats it for Murali Vijay. Very hard for him to come back now.
— Aprajit (@Wazzzir) August 22, 2018

End of Rohit and Murali Vijay's test careers?
— Abhishek 🇮🇳 #408 (@ImAbhishek7_) August 22, 2018

Murali Vijay shouldn't have been dropped. Poor selection yet again. Showing no confidence in a proven player going through a rough patch. Hope this isn't an end of road for the stylish opener.
— Nikhil Chandra (@anikhilchandra) August 23, 2018