Murali Vijay hopes for a Jamtha special

NAGPUR: Murali Vijay is back where it all began. It was at Jamtha, seven years ago, that he started his journey as Test opener. It wasn't a call-up Vijay was expecting at that time. Gautam Gambhir was serving a one-match ban and Team India desperately needed a solid opener against the Aussies in the last game of the 2008 series. A double hundred against Maharashtra in a Ranji game prompted the selectors to pluck the 24-year-old from the domestic scene.
From being a stop-gap arrangement, the Tamil Nadu opener has come a long way. With good performances over the last couple of seasons, Vijay has now cemented his place in the team.
"This ground means a lot to me because I made my debut. It is a special feeling to come to this dressing room. It is always nice to come here. I am looking forward to a good game," Vijay said ahead of the third Test.
Apart from making his debut, Vijay has enough exploits at Jamtha to feel special here. In 2009, playing for Rest of India, the right-hand batsman scored 91 against Mumbai. The same year, he scored a century in the Challenger Trophy to extend his magnificent run. He also has two Ranji half-centuries here.
With his solid technique, sound temperament and penchant for big scores, Vijay has filled one part of the opening slot but his partner Shikhar Dhawan has not been in great form. Vijay knows the importance of supporting Dhawan in this phase.
"It is very important to know what your partner is up to. If he is not in touch a little bit, it is your responsibility to take as many balls as possible to make him comfortable, because those few moments you got to just pass. Shikhar is just a knock away from getting the big one. We are working as a pack so obviously our goal is to the win the game and put the team in a better position," Vijay said.
The series has seen Virat Kohli and Co. dominating South Africa, but with both matches being played on challenging surfaces there haven't been big scores from the hosts batsmen either.
Vijay, though, isn't too worried. "The confidence is really high because we had a good game (in Mohali) and the first day in Bengaluru was in our favour. I don't think batting is really a worry for us. Everybody is one match away from a big knock and this match may be the one."
India's spinners have taken 27 South African wickets in three innings, with R Ashwin being the leader of the pack. Ravindra Jadeja's spectacular comeback too has been a bonus. The left-arm spinner has been a perfect match for Ashwin and both of them have so far taken 12 wickets each. "Jadeja is a great asset to the team because he can bowl, he can field well and he is a good batsman lower down the order," Vijay said about Jadeja.