Vijay scored a 100. First at international level. Ok congrats da.
I'd stop right here.
He is not going to be a permanent fixture in the side. For now. Whenever Gautam Gambhir gets fit, Vijay would be dropped. Yes even after making a 100. And that could be as early as first Test against NZ.
Vijay has been a fixed slot as reserve opener ever since his debut in 2008. That coincided with the dropping of Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik as openers and return of Gambhir to form in 2008 SL tour. The drop happened in 2008 Aus tour when Sehwag returned in style. That also coincided with the change in the helm of selection committee. DBV went out and Cheekanth came in. So did Vijay after he was in an epic opening partnership with Mukund.
Vijay has since then played T20s and ODIs for India too in 2010 with no success. He flashed in IPL and CLT20 this year. His temparament was monumental in whatever success and opportunities he had thus far. He has been decent in the Tests thus far.
Though he has got opportunities right now just cos he is from Tamil Nadu and Srini, Sreekanth hail from same state. Going on, he would need to exhibit similar patience and commitment as he did today to rightfully earn front door place and not a back door entry just cos he can blabber in same language as chief of selectors and BCCI president elect.
He was painfully slow today going from 87 to 100 and was stuck on 99 for 13 deliveries. In this process he not only slowed down the runs but also slowed down the runs that are scored in the end of the day.
On day 4, India would need to bat quicker than they did on day 3. They have the men -- Tendulkar and Dhoni to do it. If they bat well and secure a close to 100-150 run lead Vijay's time would not harm us, but if it does then his eating up of balls would surely hurt the team. And that would be a difference in a 1-0 and 2-0 series victory.
2 Perspectives:
I end up agreeing with almost everything. I'm intrigued with the talk of "permanent" position for MV .. indeed by "MV scripts a leading role" article in Cricinfo. No doubt Cricinfo is hyping up MV test credentials (as is their wont) and TV people are silly about MV not getting into playing XI as of right.
However, given GG's form, leanings of the current bunch of thugs at BCCI, precedent set by Raina vs Yuvraj (HInt: Shastri - injuries have a way of sorting things out) & now this MV's century.. makes me think differently about MV's prospects of not making the starting XI. IMO GG could remain injured 'til SA tour .. with possibility of being dropped thereafter. In the meantime MV would get into the ODI squad & XI.
Raina made the mistake of upping the scoring and losing the wicket. Where does he get so much assurance and confidence about his future? Why set yourself up for being a future go-to-slogger (letting others build big scores on placid pitches); rather go for a solid career average, not outs and the occasional high-pressure hero innings of a Laxman? ( You do what the boss tell you of course.. but at no point can you afford to ignore your competition).
Give Vijay a break, it's very natural to be nervous when you are so close to your first ton.
The guy has done a decent job when called upon in Test matches.
I don't think Gambhir's place is in danger, but if he continues to be injured(apparently he's about to have surgery and is out for a while) and Vijay continues to do his thing, he could be around for a while.
Again, while his debut call up certainly seemed fortuituous, it's not that there are too many domestic openers with a 50+ FC average(Rahane used to open, now comes in at 3) and in that sense Vijay is a pretty good fill in.
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