Vijay best opener for india after sunil and sehwag

[The Realist]

Pretty underwhelming:

 

Quote

 

3307 runs at an average of 39.84, this while he has been part of a batting line-up whose three other long-standing members - Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Rahane - average over 45.

 

But he seldom dominates a series. Through his entire career, he has only averaged more than 50 twice while playing more than one match in a series. Compare that to Kohli (8), Pujara (7), or Rahane (6). When they are in form, they really make it count. Vijay, for some reason, doesn't.

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2016-17/content/story/1086610.html

 

 

Edited March 14, 2017 by The Realist

[Forever Indian]

18 minutes ago, The Realist said:

Pretty underwhelming:

 

 

One of the worst article I have read in Espncricinfo in recent times. Comparing an opener with middle order bats in tests?! Vijay should be compared to other country openers for a fairer picture.

 

After this comeback to team in 2013 Vijay has averaged 43, which is not bad at all. Also what is highly under-rated is the amount of balls he faces especially overseas to take the shine off the ball. Other than Gavaskar we have never had an opener playing out so many balls to make life easier for middle order bats.

[sandeep]

Murali and Pujara are the ones who frequently do the hard work of facing the new ball - Rarely have India put up big totals if both of these guys fall cheaply.  

[Forever Indian]

When we had our overseas back-to-back tours of SA, NZ, Eng, Aus (1st Dec 2013 to 31st Dec 2014), Vijay had faced the most number of ball off any Indian batsman. The others were no where near him. It is due to his starts and taking shine off ball that we won the Lords test and came extremely close to wins in Johannesburg, Adelaide, etc. Also can't forget his Day 1 Gabba century.

 

Batsmen	Matches Played	Runs Scored	Balls Faced
Murali Vijay	12	1000	2275
Virat Kohli	12	1119	1887
Ajinkya Rahane	12	1018	1790
Cheteshwar Pujara	12	763	1764
MS Dhoni	11	621	1166

 

"Vijay played the most number of balls for his team in these 12 Tests. The Tamil Nadu lad showed extreme patience against South Africa, Australia and in the first two Tests against England. In two Tests against South Africa, Vijay played 375 balls. In the first two Tests against England, he played a total of 794 balls. Huge number that is! And in the first three Tests against Australia, he hit a hundred and three fifties in just 709 balls. Now brisk that is!"

http://sportzwiki.com/cricket/stat-attack-most-balls-played-by-indian-batsmen-in-tests-from-1-dec-2013-31st-dec-2014/

 

Edited March 14, 2017 by Forever Indian

[Gollum]

Anybody who downplays Vijay the test batsman has no clue about test cricket. 

[kubrickian]

He is very good especially in overseas conditions when it has been so tough for Indian opening batsmen to face the new ball. Only Gavaskar has been consistently successful as an opener in those conditions for a period of time. Sehwag's approach was quite different. So Vijay is worth his weight in gold and he is also a decent player of spin. But I wish he became a bit more consistent because he has the ability to do so. He can average 50 in tests.

Edited March 14, 2017 by kubrickian

[G_B_]

Vijay is one of those players whose average is worse than what he actually brings to the table.  Should be around 45 to reflect his true ability.

 

So many times when the match is won he seems to just be lazy and get out. 

 

He went through a phase whereby he was interested in getting into t20 and odi cricket and his test form suffered. But has been very good once he concentrated on just test cricket.

[BeautifulGame]

He is our second opener after Gavaskar outside Asia.Aruguably even better than Sehwag.

 

But at home he has really underachived .That's why the stats don't reflect his contribution to the team .

[King Tendulkar]

Nice knock by vijay . The steady patient opener we need . Emphasising how silly some where to ask for his head after first test 

[Forever Indian]

13 minutes ago, King Tendulkar said:

Nice knock by vijay . The steady patient opener we need . Emphasising how silly some where to ask for his head after first test 

That too after a century in previous two tests 

Edited March 18, 2017 by Forever Indian

[ShebbySB]

Vijay will end his career with an avg around 43-44...ya he's the best after Mr.Gavaskar and Viru.Rate him higher than Gambhir.

[fineleg]

Gambhir vs Vijay - GG has played some great knocks too. I dont think Vijay is ahead just yet.

[Texan]

Vijay? Which Vijay? If you mean Merchant, then yes.

 

Murali Vijay is a pretty good opener and probably the best we have today, but in the all-time pantheon, his record so far underwhelms.

[Gollum]

1 hour ago, Texan said:

Vijay? Which Vijay? If you mean Merchant, then yes.

 

Murali Vijay is a pretty good opener and probably the best we have today, but in the all-time pantheon, his record so far underwhelms.

Dude Merchant played only 10 test matches, that too long time ago. He might have been better than Vijay but sample size is minuscule. 

[speedheat]

No I rate gamby higher then Vijay but yes Vijay is up their after Sunil Sir sehwag and gamby

[King Tendulkar]

On 25/11/2015 at 8:49 PM, Jimmy Cliff said:

Merchant and Sidhu still ahead of Vijay IMO.

Merchant is a legend . Sad Indians dismiss him 

 

he arguably makes Indian team over Sehwag. 

 

Pure legend of his time . Him , hazare and mankad may make all time Indian 11 

 

mankad was a genius second best all rounder ever had 

[King Tendulkar]

2 hours ago, Gollum said:

Dude Merchant played only 10 test matches, that too long time ago. He might have been better than Vijay but sample size is minuscule. 

Poor guy 

 

not his fault powers at time did not want to play india that much and india just starting journey 

 

him and hazare were batting giants in competition. AmAzing pioneers and stood up and delivered for their country 

 

merchant is waaaaaay above vijay and really to be honest is better then Sehwag 

[Muloghonto]

2 hours ago, King Tendulkar said:

Poor guy 

 

not his fault powers at time did not want to play india that much and india just starting journey 

 

him and hazare were batting giants in competition. AmAzing pioneers and stood up and delivered for their country 

 

merchant is waaaaaay above vijay and really to be honest is better then Sehwag 

Merchant was 28 when WWII started 36 when cricket resumed again.

So he kind of lost the best years of his career due to war. either way, 47+ average on uncovered test wickets in those days was Godly for an opener. 
IIRC, he also has the best batting average in FC cricket after Bradman. Averaging 70+ as an opener over 20 years isn't easy, no matter where you play.

[Texan]

5 hours ago, Gollum said:

Dude Merchant played only 10 test matches, that too long time ago. He might have been better than Vijay but sample size is minuscule. 

Can't fault him for the sample size. His FC average is next best after Bradman too, so must have some serious batting credentials. For players of that era, we have to often rely on  what other players who played at the same time said about those guys and Merchant and Hazare were by all standards top class batsmen who could find a place in any team in the World.

[kira]

Gambhir is the third best, vijay comes after gambhir