TNPL 2022: Murali Vijay disappoints on his return to competitive action in nearly two years

Chennai: India’s discarded Test batter Murali Vijay returned to competitive cricket on Friday after a gap of nearly two years, playing for Ruby Trichy Warriors in the Tamil Nadu Premier League in Tirunelveli, some 700km from here. The right-hander, however, did not fare well in his comeback match, falling for a patchy eight from 13 balls. He did not look very convincing during his brief stay in the middle and was run out going for a sharp single. The 61-Test veteran, who last played for Chennai Super Kings in an Indian Premier League match in Dubai in September 2020, had not turned out for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket and did not feature in last year’s TNPL too. He had also not played in the local TNCA League. He last played for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy in December 2019. Vijay’s last Test for India was in 2018 against Australia in Perth. The veteran batter seemed happy to be playing again and said ahead of the current edition of TNPL that he wants to enjoy the game.

Murali Vijay back on the cricket field after 19 months for #TNPL2022. His last appearance was in the 2020 IPL for Chennai Super Kings. pic.twitter.com/1glbJflWHE

— Sa. Gomesh | ச. கோமேஷ் (@SaGomesh) June 24, 2022

“I want to play as long as possible. Just took a personal break,” Vijay said recently ahead of the TNPL. “I have a young family and wanted to take care of them. I’m enjoying my cricket now and I’m feeling fit, hopefully, I can do my bit for my team and TNPL,” he had added. He is playing under the captaincy of experienced left-arm spinner Rahil Shah at Trichy Warriors. The TNPL which got underway on Thursday will go on till 31 July.