With a penchant for scoring big Test hundreds, Indian opener Murali Vijay is now aiming to cross the 200-run barrier as he approaches the next phase of his cricketing career.
The Tamil Nadu batsman, who scored a patient 150 in the ongoing one-off rain-hit Test against Bangladesh in Fatullah, has registered six centuries in 32 Tests with scores of 139, 167, 153, 146, 144 and 150 adorning the list. The 31-year-old player wants to take it to the next level.
"Yes, I am aiming for that. I have been batting well and scoring these 140s and 150s. Now it's time to take another step and aim for a double hundred. To achieve that I am working on my fitness.
"As I said earlier, after having batted long enough to get to 150 your body tires out due to the external factors like the heat and humidity. That affects your mind. If you have the will to do it, you will. I have that will and I am doing everything I can to achieve that. Hopefully it is around the corner," Vijay told bcci.tv.
Vijay was instrumental in helping India post a huge 462 for six declared in the first innings after he stitched a 283-run opening stand with Shikhar Dhawan (173).
The Chennai-born player said he being friends with his opening partner has helped him.
"It is said that for the openers it is important to be good friends off the field in order to succeed as a pair on it. And it is absolutely true. Shikhar and I share a very good rapport off the field and that helps us in the middle. Although our games are different, we know each other’s games very well.
"As far as our personalities go, some people think he is the relaxed one and I am the serious one. But while batting it is the other way round. I am more relaxed and he is usually pumped up from inside. We complement each other well in that way," he said.
Vijay's 272-ball knock was laced with 12 fours and a six and the batsman admits that concentration is the key to his long stays at the crease.
"I am actually not a very focused person off the field and perhaps, that helps me save all my concentration power for when I am batting. Concentration is the basic requirement if you want to succeed at the international level. When you are batting well and are in good form, your ability to concentrate is what takes you to big scores.
"You have to seize that opportunity to go on and score a big one. Things are not served to you on a platter at this level and you have to make every chance and every moment of good form count," he said.
