Murali Vijay doesn’t like Test specialist tag

Bowlers shivered at his sight when he roared for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. So what if the Chennai franchise are now suspended, the spirit of the yellow jersey gets Murali Vijay going. The 32-year-old — who has two IPL tons (127 and 113) to his credit — opens the batting for Kings XI Punjab and is keen to play for India in all formats. He doesn’t like being called a Test specialist.

“I am trying hard to include myself in all formats; trying to improve my game. At the moment, I think I am batting well. It is just a matter of time to put things together, waiting for the results,” he said.

Vijay isn’t the flamboyant, happy-go-lucky kind; one would think twice before befriending him. He is a tough guy; at times, sensitive.

His last international Twenty20 assignment (against Zimbabwe in Harare) came a year back. But Vijay is content with the amount of cricket he has been playing in the shortest format.

“Who said I don’t play much of Twenty20 cricket ” he asked.

Nonetheless, for his fans and followers — who have been watching him since his debut — will be happy to know that he is gunning for a third ton in the ongoing season of the cash-rich league.

“Let’s hope I reach that mark soon, I am working on it,” said Vijay, who scored a classical half-century (53) against Rising Pune Supergiants (led by his former Chennai skipper M.S. Dhoni) recently.

The right-hander also had a chat with Dhoni after his innings.

“He has been a great role model for everybody, he set high standards for us to follow. We can take the ladder and push up. Kings XI Punjab are working hard to be on the right side this season. Personally, I have been concentrating harder for the last two years,” he added.

The sudden shift of venues, matches being pulled out of the drought-hit Maharashtra and Kings XI announcing Dharamsala as their second home ground, doesn’t bother Vijay.

“As professional cricketers, one need to play in all circumstances, at least that’s what I think. I don’t know about others,” he said.

Rather, he is pleased to share the dressing room with players like Mitchell Johnson, the one who each time caused trouble to India — be it with the ball or words.

“We share a good rapport, we share good cricketing thoughts and how to go about a game and lot of insights about the game. It is good to rub shoulders with them,” said Vijay.