Vijay axed from TN squad after failing to turn up on match day

Tamil Nadu selectors took a bold decision by dropping India Test opener Murali Vijay for the remainder of Vijay Hazare Trophy after the right-hander failed to report to the ground on time ahead of Tamil Nadu’s Group C match against Mumbai on Thursday, which they ended up losing by 2 wickets.

Tamil Nadu selectors took a bold decision by dropping India Test opener Murali Vijay for the remainder of Vijay Hazare Trophy after the right-hander failed to report to the ground on time ahead of Tamil Nadu’s Group C match against Mumbai on Thursday, which they ended up losing by 2 wickets.

Vijay surprisingly did not show up at the SSN College Ground and only informed TN coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar barely one hour before the match, complaining about shoulder pain.

TNCA officials though, stated they were unaware about any such injury to the opener and have therefore, decided to take drop him from the squad.

"How can we find a replacement at the last minute?" Vijay didn't report to the ground and neither did he inform the selectors about his injury. It was very disappointing to say the least," a TNCA official told ESPNCricinfo.

Tamil Nadu had to rush in Ganga Sridhar Raju to open the innings with Kaushik Gandhi, who got out for a duck in the very first over of the match.

Tamil Nadu are already missing the services of regular captain Abhinav Mukund and with Vijay’s exclusion from the squad, they have been left with no other option but to try out a new opening combination at the business end of the tournament.

TNCA has not been satisfied with Vijay’s attitude right from the start of the season with the selectors even thinking of not picking him for the Ranji Trophy matches.

Vijay on his part was surprised at his sudden axing and has promised to resolve the matter by discussing with the team management and selectors.

Pradosh Rajan Paul has replaced Vijay, who scored 11 and 53 in his first two appearances in the domestic one-day tournament. But Tamil Nadu would hope matters are resolved quickly as they are already struggling after two successive defeats to Goa and Mumbai.