Chennai, May 29 (IANS) The decision to stick to basics and work on his singles rather than playing just the big shots were the key to his success, said opening batsman Murali Vijay whose knock of 95 paved the way for Chennai Super Kings’ 58-run win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League final here Saturday.
‘Personally, I was missing out on lot of singles in some of the previous games because Hussey is more of a timer and I was trying to play of my skin,’ said Vijay at the post-match media conference held in the early hours of Sunday.
‘I had thought I could have ran a lot more singles for myself as well Hussey and the team’s cause for a momentum. I was working on it consciously and today, I went out for it and excelled as well.
‘I was batting well today. I was confident about my tasks and did not worry much about anything else. My only worry was that I was getting 30s and 40s and was thinking about performing.
‘Everybody in our team was performing well. I raised my hand and said to myself that this is going to be my day and I succeeded.’
Vijay was overjoyed that the Super Kings retained the trophy and said that although he was disappointed at missing out on a century, it was more important that the team won.
‘A bit (disappointed) now. But at that time, I was trying to hit the ball because the wicket was deteriorating and I thought a total of 220 might be a good score.
‘In this format, any total could be chased by the rivals. I tried to clear (the field) but it did not come out in the way that I wanted. However, I am happy that the team won,’ said Vijay who earlier in the week was selected for next month’s Indian team’s tour of the West Indies.
After having gone through a lean patch in the IPL this season, Vijay said he was determined to come out on top in the final, but did not bat any differently than he had previously.
‘Actually, I was not trying to do anything differently. I was trying to see the ball and hit it when it was in my areas. I knew that if I bat well for the first six overs, then I can take it from there. I was just working on the basics.’
On the forthcoming tour of the Caribbean, Vijay said that he was hoping to perform well in the Test series.
‘I am enjoying this moment and looking on to improve on all aspects of my cricket, batting and everything. I am looking forward to join the Indian team in the Tests in which I really love to carry the momentum and do well,’ he said.
