Vijay has scored three hundreds in overseas conditions

Vijay has been one of the most consistent players, when it comes to playing in foreign conditions. He has scored 1548 runs at an average of 36.85 in the overseas conditions and has played crucial knocks in the process.

On Australian soil, Vijay has scored 482 runs in four Tests at an average of 60.25. Apart from this, he was player of the series in the last England last tour, as he scored 402 runs in 5 Tests at an average 40.2.

Vijay has strong defensive technique which is important for any overseas tour

Murali Vijay is one of the traditional openers, who leaves the ball outside off-stump and plays a patient game until the bowlers tire. This was one of the primary reasons why he was so successful in the English tour, where most of the Indian batsmen struggled to score.

On Vijay's technique during his early days, former Australian captain Allan Border said "His defensive shots are so assured. And he looks comfortable on both front and back foot. And when he attacks, he doesn't go hard at the deliveries. I can see why this young man is playing".

Murali Vijay And Cheteshwar Pujara have 10 century stands between them

During the second test, Vijay and Pujara had a mammoth partnership of 209 runs. They currently have ten century stands between them, along with three double century partnerships in Tests. The Vijay-Pujara combination has 2740 runs in 38 innings, at an average of 72.10 per partnership.

In overseas condition, the average drops to 48, while in home condition, it is 89. Over the next year or so, they should get several opportunities to add to their century tally overseas.

Vijay plays well against spin and takes attack to them when needed

In the last overseas tours, India had surprisingly struggled against spin where they were expected to dominate. In both England and Australia tours, it was Moeen Ali and Nathan Lyon who created havoc in the Indian batting line-up.

India's average against spin has slipped to 34.22 since the beginning of 2012. Between 1990 and 2011, they averaged 45 against spin. So if India has to win the overseas tour, then they need someone like Vijay who can tackle the spin threat.

Murali Vijay has been the mainstay opener of Indian Team after Sehwag and Gambhir

Murali Vijay made his Test debut in 2008 against Australia and was the reserve opener after Sehwag and Gambhir. Vijay became regular opener post 2013 when both the openers were dropped due to poor form.

Before 2013, Vijay had just one hundred and 2 half-centuries in 12 Tests. After getting another opportunity in 2013, he scored 2935 runs in 40 Tests at an average of 43.66, with 9 hundreds and 13 half-centuries to his name.

Poor effort from the bowlers overall

On a brighter picture, yes, Dilruwan Perera was not great on the day, but the other bowlers didn’t do anything significant as well. The fast bowlers were hitting nice lengths, but they failed to induce Pujara and Vijay to play any false shots.
The only wicket that came on the day seemed like a gift from Vijay out of mercy, as he tried to sweep the ball off a low full-toss and got a top edge. They failed to create chances and paid a hefty price for being a little too casual.

Kohli ups the ante

The innings was progressing at a 2.86 per over before Kohli came in and after the skipper put the cat amongst the pigeons with his aggressive approach, the run rate escalated
to over 3.1 an over. He walked his towards a half-century with the runs coming in at a canter. His 70-ball 54 includes 6 fours and every time there was a poor ball, he kept knocking it towards the boundary.

Surviving the initial phase against the spinners

If it had not been for Pujara and Vijay‘s resolute batting technique, India would never have survived the initial phase on the day when the spinners were bowling really well.
This is exactly what they missed in the first Test. Although they didn’t accumulate a lot of runs, the bowlers failed to extract any support with the ball softening up. It was these two gentlemen’s effort that set the platform for the side.

A forgettable outing for Dilruwan Perera

Dilruwan Perera had one of his worst days on the field as a professional cricketer on Day 2. After dropping a dolly off Vijay, who eventually scored a hundred,
he conceded loads o runs by straying off the line and bowling against the field placement. Dinesh Chandimal kept giving the ball hoping for something different to happen, but he only kept conceding runs. He conceded 117 runs in 21 overs at an economy rate of 5.6.

Vijay intensifies the selectors’ headache

Murali Vijay’s sensational hundred meant that India now has 3 openers in the fray, all in a wonderful nick. When Dhawan will be back in the next game, Kohli will have a difficult task to choose between these three.
Vijay stroked a magnificent 128 off 221 balls, which includes 11 fours and one big hit out of the park. He played some classical drives throughout his innings and eventually, was dismissed in a very unfortunate manner off Herath.

Pujara, Vijay undefeated 294 Stand sets up India gain 74 runs lead on Day 2

India is on way to bat Australia away of the second Test in Hyderabad after a spectacular performance brought the hosts side to a lead of 74 runs with nine wickets remaining at sumps on day two.

The India resumed the day on 5 for 0, but Australia had a little early success when Peter Siddle dismissed opener Virender Sehwag for 6 to leave India 1 for 17. This was the high point of the day for Australia, however, as Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay reserved their wickets for the rest of the day.

The pair was careful batting in the first session after Sehwag's dismissal, seeing India through to lunch at 54 for 1. But the last two sessions put a totally different nature on the match. as Pujara and Vijay take to the Australian bowling with a vengeance.

The third session was even poorer for the Australia, as a tiring bowling attack was taken apart by the Indian pair. Pujara finished his century, then came the 200 partnership and finally Vijay completed his hundred with a boundary off Xavier Doherty (0 for 85).

The remainder of the day saw more punishment meted out to the Australian bowlers, with David Warner going for 14 off his single over and Glenn Maxwell 0 for 55 off his 10 overs. Moises Henriques was the mainly impressive of the Australian bowlers, conceding 0 for 38 from his 19 overs, including seven maidens.

At stumps Murali Vijay was unbeaten on 129 with 17 fours and two sixes, while Cheteshwar Pujara was not out on 162, included with 25 fours and one six. India seem set for a big total, and the pressure will be on the visitors on day three.