Dubai: If early momentum is the key to success in the Indian Premier League (IPL), then last year’s runners-up Kings XI Punjab are lagging behind somewhat with only one win from their first four matches.
Murali Vijay, an Indian Test opener and a high-profile acquisition for the Mohali-based franchise in this year’s auction, is well aware of this but feels one fluent performance is enough to change the scenario.
“We are not in a happy situation right now, it’s time to push the button,” Vijay told Gulf News from India on the eve of their fifth outing against the in-form Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday.
A senior member of the squad along with veteran Virender Sehwag, the opener is yet to fire with a total of 93 from four innings and a highest score of 35.
“I have been getting starts but have not been able to convert them into bigger scores. The format is such that you have got to take risks but I am waiting for that one big knock,” said the 31-year-old, who has a decent record in the glitzy T20 league with nearly 1,900 runs from the three franchises that he has turned out so far.
After spending the first six seasons with Chennai Super Kings, Vijay moved to the Delhi Daredevils last year before being released by them.
Asked if the presence of power hitters like Sehwag, Glenn Maxwell, David Miller and George Bailey allow him the freedom to express himself better, Vijay said the priority is to deliver as a team. “I have batted with Viru paaji for the Indian team in the past. Out first priority, however, is to pull off a few games back-to-back as it has been a mixed season so far,” said Vijay, whose knock of 127 off 56 balls in 2010 remains one of the best IPL centuries so far.
Despite having made his India debut in 2008 against Australia, Vijay had not been able to carve a niche for himself in all formats of the game.
The last two years have seen him consolidate his place in the longer format, while a successful Test series Down Under (482 runs from four Tests, including 144 in Brisbane) raised hopes of a call-up for the World Cup squad, but he was pipped to the post by younger candidates like Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma.
Admitting the omission hurt him, Vijay said: “At the end of the day, it’s not in your hands. My aim will now be to work hard, stay fit and finally make it happen in all formats.”
Does having the tag of a Test specialist actually hurt his case? “When I started playing cricket, I obviously wanted to play in all formats. It is tough to adjust according to formats, but as a professional you have got to be expecting these things ahead of a tournament like the IPL and it’s a challenge that I enjoy,” he added.
