Kohli, Vijay tons put India in control

Skipper Virat Kohli and opener Murali Vijay’s scintillating centuries put India in the driver’s seat as the hosts posted 356/3 at stumps on the opening day of the one-off cricket Test against Bangladesh at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here February 9.

Finally a chance was taken by Bangladesh after those costly lapses in the morning session but by the time Cheteshwar Pujara fell for 83, he had put on 178 for the second wicket with Murali Vijay to put India in command. Skipper Virat Kohli, who came after the dismissal of Pujara, was also not out on 17 from 24 balls. But soon, it was Vijay who took over and Pujara was more than happy playing second fiddle and running the quick singles and doubles.

Vijay and Pujara are such a contrasting pair of characters that it always amuses to see them develop a Hayden-Langer kind of partnership.

# Pujara enjoys an impressive record in Tests at home – his tally being 2338 runs at an average of 63.18, including eight centuries and nine fifties, in 26 Tests.

Yet, it wasn’t that easy in the first hour of play on Thursday. Vijay now also stands a joint-third (along with Gautam Gambhir) on the list of highest number of centuries by an Indian opener behind Sunil Gavaskar (33) and Virender Sehwag (22). Save Taskin Ahmed, who showed a lot of heart on a slow track, the other bowlers including experienced Shakib Al Hasan lacked incisiveness and discipline to trouble a batting line-up that is very potent at home.

After losing Rahul early in the innings, Murali Vijay and Pujara – two of India’s most reliable batsmen, are in the process of rebuilding the innings. The half-century came off a gorgeous cover drive. In the last session, he made 94 runs off 117 deliveries.

“We would have batted first too”, he added.

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. Murali went for 108 when he attempted to paddle a ball from Taijal Islam to fine leg only to miss and be bowled around his legs.

Bangladesh is without opener Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar is likely to open their innings with Tamim Iqbal.

Vijay, as usual was pleasing to the eyes with his languid grace, hitting the ball down the ground.

Of all the Indian batsmen, he is the one who uses the width of the crease-both forward and back -really well. Had Miraz collected it, Vijay would have been walking back to the pavilion for 35 thanks to a misinformed call from his partner Cheteshwar Pujara. “One needs to hit the good length”, he said.