Murali Vijay returns to competitive action after nearly 2 years, out for 8 in TNPL 2022 match
Out-of-favour India Test batter Murali Vijay played a competitive match for the first time since September 2020 when he played for Trichy Warriors in Match 2 of Tamil Nadu Premier League on Friday.
In Short
- Murali Vijay got out for 8 from 13 balls on his comeback
- Vijay had not played competitive cricket since September 2020
- Vijay said he took a personal break from the sport
38-year-old India batter Murali Vijay returned to competitive cricket after a break of nearly 2 years. Vijay took the field for Ruby Trichy Warriors in the Tamil Nadu Premier League in Match 2 of the season against Dindigul Dragons in Tirunelveli on Friday, June 24.
However, Murali Vijay managed just 8 runs in his first competitive outing since Indian Premier League 2020. Vijay struggled to get going as there were obvious signs of rust. Vijay took 13 balls before he was run out by Silambarasan.
Murali Vijay, who played 61 Tests for India, last played for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2020 in the UAE in September 2020. Vijay did not play the TNPL last year or turn up for domestic cricket for Tamil Nadu earlier this season.
He last played for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy in December 2019. Vijay's last Test for India was in 2018 against Australia in Perth.
Notably, Vijay confirmed that the long absence from competitive cricket was just a personal break and that he is feeling good about his game again.
"I want to play as long as possible. Just took a personal break," Vijay said ahead of the TNPL, as quoted by the PTI.
"I have a young family and wanted to take care of them. I'm enjoying my cricket now and I'm feeling fit, hopefully, I can do my bit for my team and TNPL," he said.
Vijay will look to make a significant contribution when Trichy Warriors take on Tiruppur Tamizhans in their second match of the season on Monday in Tirunelveli. The TNPL will have 32 matches this season, played between June 23 and July 31.