Murali Vijay Retirement: Indian cricket team's veteran opener Murali Vijay announced retirement from all forms of cricket, Monday. Vijay played his last international match for the national team in December 2018, against Australia in Perth. The red-ball specialist represented India in 61 Tests, 17 ODIs and nine T20 matches.
Announcing his retirement on Twitter, he wrote, “Today, with immense gratitude & humility, I announce my retirement from all forms of International cricket. My journey from 2002-2018 has been the most wonderful years of my life for it was was an honour representing India at the highest level of sport. I am grateful for the opportunities given to me by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), Chennai Super Kings and Chemplast Sanmar.”
“To all my team-mates, coaches, mentors and support staff: It has been an absolute privilege to have played with you all, and, I thank you all for helping turn my dream into reality. To cricket fans that have supported me through the ups & downs of international sport, will forever cherish the moments I spent with you all and your support has always be a source of motivation for me.”
For India, Vijay scored 3982 runs, including 12 centuries and 15 half-centuries at an average of 38.28 in 61 Tests, 339 runs in 17 ODIs and 169 runs in nine T20 matches. In his career, the star opener was most successful in Test cricket. Vijay scored a fantastic Test ton against Afghanistan in Bengaluru in June 2018 but was later dropped from the team after failing with the bat in the next four Tests.
Murali Vijay played 106 matches in Indian Premier League and is regarded as one of the best openers in tournament's history. He represented Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in IPL.
He attained the maximum success with MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings. During this, he scored 2619 runs with help of two centuries and 13 half-centuries.