CHENNAI: IN a long home international season that saw many Indian players miss out on matches due to fitness issues, Murali Vijay revealed on Monday how he played nearly half the season with a fractured wrist. After the Australia series got over, the opener flew to the UK for surgery and was back in Chennai on Sunday night. Doctors have advised him not to pick up a bat for at least a month.
In the 13 Tests India played last season, he featured in 12. With the team needing a steady combination at the top of the order, he chose to play with pain even if it meant missing IPL. “I don’t want to get too much into the status of the injury but I was playing with a fractured wrist. It was a difficult situation to be in, but the team always comes first,” Vijay told Express on Monday.
During the season, most Indian batsmen topped the batting charts. But Vijay’s average was below 40, despite scoring three centuries. “More than anything, it was mind over matter. I was not able to bat freely because, as the injury aggravated, I couldn’t play certain shots and when I went out to bat, I had to grind it out. Especially against pacers, it was difficult at times to even defend off the front foot because it was my bottom hand that was injured.
“I was told not to use any power while batting, so that was something I had to keep in mind while facing spinners. As a batsman, when you can’t play certain shots, it affects your momentum and it was frustrating, but I saw it as a challenge because nothing comes easy and I learned a lot.”
Throughout the series against Australia, Vijay’s fitness was subject to a lot of speculation. But it seems like the team management took a cautious call to give him optional practice so that he could play the Tests.
“My body language might not tell you a real story all the time,” Vijay said in response to not showing any signs of pain. “I was in pain and it is not in my personality to show what I’m going through and gain sympathy. At the end of the day, I’m the one going through that and need to handle it on my own,” he added.
Though the operation in the UK was successful, Vijay is scheduled to meet his surgeon in Chennai. With the recovery process in place, Vijay has been given a rehabilitation schedule, which is likely to last a month. Team physio Patrick Farhat, who was present during the surgery, is also keeping close tabs on him.
“The team management really understood, where I stood in terms of injury and they kept me motivated. I have already started my rehabilitation and hopefully, in a month or two, I should be able to pick up the bat again.”
Cancer cure programme
Murali Vijay on Monday launched the Children Cancer Cure programme initiated by Dr Priya Ramachandran’s Ray of Light Foundation at Kanchi Kamakoti Child Trust Hospital. The foundation will provide free treatment to underprivileged children. The foundation which has treated 124 children so far will increase its tally to 60 children this year. Dr Priya said: “The aim is to help those who can’t take care of the expenses when it comes to cancer.” Vijay, who was the chief guest, said it is a great initiative. “I definitely want to help them and that is the reason I’m here,” he said.
venkatakrishna@newindianexpress.com