Vijay not taking Afghans lightly
Saini named as injured Shami’s replacement
Murali Vijay, India’s senior Test opener, is in no mood to take Afghanistan lightly on the eve of their one-off Test beginning on Thursday.
“The Test against Afghanistan gives us an opportunity to go out there and express ourselves. It will definitely be an interesting game and from there on, the strategies for the England series will start,” said Vijay, who had to sit out during the Chennai Super Kings’ successful IPL campaign, but will again be a key player in the longer formats.
Afghanistan might be making their debut in the longest format of the game, but Vijay maintains that they cannot be taken lightly. “Afghanistan is a quality side and Test cricket as such is a test for any player,” he said.
Vijay further added that patience is the key to success in tough English conditions. “Even experienced players tend to struggle in England as the conditions are alien. Scoring runs in such conditions is a mental game and you have to be persistent. It is important to bide your time, believe in yourself and runs will come. That’s what I have looked to do throughout my career.”
Meanwhile, Navdeep Saini has been named as Mohammad Shami’s replacement in the Test team for the upcoming Afghanistan match. The announcement came after Shami failed to clear the fitness test at National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru.
The Indian team management has requested that India A fast bowlers Mohammad Siraj and Rajneesh Gurbani attend the training sessions of the Indian team and bowl at the Indian batsmen in the nets.