Change in approach has helped: Vijay

Hyderabad: Ton-up India opener Murali Vijay, on Thursday, said he has curbed the tendency to nibble at deliveries outside off and is back to batting the way that fetched him runs in international cricket. Vijay hit a classy century against Bangladesh, his 9th in Test cricket. The Tamil Nadu right-hander spoke about the aspects of his game that he worked on.

"See, I was playing at the balls that I should be leaving actually. I went back home and gave it a thought, returned back to Mumbai for the Test against England and played in the way I would play rather than playing for the situation which was putting too much pressure on me. These are small things, I rectified in the Bombay Test," Vijay said.

"As I am playing one format of the game at the moment, I have got a decent idea about it and hang of it. I want to give as many consistent starts as possible for India. I am ready for my opportunity in other two formats as well," reminding that he has not resigned to the fact that he is not considered for limited overs format.

On his strategy for the day, Vijay said, "To be honest, I was feeling good about my game coming into the series. Hopefully, I can carry that forward. I just saw the new ball for 4-5 overs, read the wicket. Then I thought, I can kind of play my shots and it came out my way today. It was two paced in morning session and in the afternoon it became slower."

The 32-year-old said the gameplan was to rely on instincts in certain situations and the team was well equipped to handle the short ball which Bangladesh slinger Kamrul Islam Rabbi dished out consistently. On his 178-run stand with Pujara and fifth three-figure stand this season, Vijay attributed it to the great rapport that they share.

"We really enjoy each other's company out there in the middle and he has a solid game. He makes things easy for me and we both share a good rapport and that makes it easier inside," he said. Vijay also lauded his team-mate Pujara for his success.