Murali Vijay has fallen behind in the pecking order after his ordinary batting performance in Australia. He expressed his satisfaction with the way young Indian openers have performed in his place but he insisted he isn’t feeling threatened by them.
He was considered as one of India’s best opening batsmen outside the sub-continent but his fortunes took a complete U-turn since India went to South Africa, which was followed by England and Australia.
Vijay was hurt after being axed from the team for the Melbourne Test as he was expecting to be part of that match.
“I expected to play the Test. In fact, I was sure I would play the Test. I had batted well in the second innings of the second Test at Perth. I felt I was only one innings away from form,” Vijay told The Hindu.
He added: “I feel hurt that I am not a part a part of the Indian team. I am not disappointed. But really hurt.”
“People don’t know or understand me. I don’t see myself competing or feeling threatened by the newcomers. Two years back, I said Prithvi Shaw would play for the country. I am happy for them.
“I have scored nearly 4000 Test runs for the country, I must be pretty good to have done that. I have made runs in difficult conditions, in England and Australia. And I came through a period when Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were there. I don’t feel intimidated by the competition.”