When M. Vijay leapt joyfully after reaching his maiden Test hundred little could he have known that he is only the fifth batsman (and only the seventh occasion) from Tamil Nadu to have reached the coveted three figure mark in the traditional format. The results over 78 Test years don’t truly reflect the kind of exciting talent the state has produced. Artistry and panache have been the hallmark of batsmen from TN but mental toughness and good work ethics may have been the missing link.
After making his first-class debut in November 2006, M. Vijay’s climb has been steady if not meteoric. The tour to Zimbabwe earlier this year was the turning point. It was perceived as an series for easy runs and averages. Coming from a heady IPL III, Vijay saw it go all wrong in a jiffy. “It made me understand nothing comes easy and the failure in Zimbabwe taught me to concentrate harder and work on my game more seriously,” Vijay had told this correspondent during the Test series in Sri Lanka.
The results were there for all to see. The approach was mature during the two Tests in which Vijay replaced an injured Gautam Gambhir. The head was visibly still and that helped him gain better balance on either foot. The opener looked comfortable in getting on top of the ball and keeping it down. Countering swing remains a grey area though. Lack of foot movement, especially at the start of the innings, is something Vijay has to lend thought to.
What has set the 26-year-old apart from the new crop of batsmen is his ability to adapt to each of the three formats. No one barring Gambhir has showcased a different style to address the demand of each format. The 139 in Bengaluru was not a free flowing effort. The knock was a struggle at times. Vijay battled hard for 310 deliveries and 433 minutes and not for a split second looked like the same batsman who destroyed attacks in the IPL and CL at strike rates in excess of 150.
It is indeed unfortunate that the national selection committee continues to turn a blind eye to S. Badrinath. But in Dinesh Karthik and M. Vijay the state has two fine players who can set the record straight for the state who have been perennial underachievers both in the Ranji Trophy and the international level.
Before Vijay, TN had produced only four Test centurions. A.G. Kripal Singh (on debut), Kris Srikkanth (twice), S. Ramesh (twice) and Dinesh Karthik are the other batsmen to have reached the mark previously. The newfound hunger and dedication in Vijay gives enough reason to believe there could be many more from the bat that is growing broader. Will he be the first TN batsman to get three Test centuries and beyond?