India‘s Test opener Murali Vijay has been in the team for quite some time now. He hit two centuries in the last series against England. Vijay’s position in the team, however, is not settled yet as his competitors in the position — Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, and Gautam Gambhir — have been scoring runs too. Gambhir-Dhawan could not make it into the squad announced for the Test against Bangladesh. Avinab Mukund made his place in the squad as a reward for his performance in the local leagues. Vijay’s inclusion in the playing XI for the Test against Bangladesh is not certain. However, the opener looks confident.   

‘Definitely, I’m pushing myself to play all three formats for India. The selection is not in my hands, but I’m working hard on my fitness and skill level. I am already doing well in Test cricket and want to be as consistent as possible,’ he said, reports cricbuzz.com.

Vijay, who has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained during the fifth and final Test versus England in December, said he is raring to take the field against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. He will be join the Indian team on February 6.

‘I have been training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and as well as in Chennai. The rehab process has been really good. I had a couple of injuries. One was a fracture on my little finger and the other was the shoulder. I have played three games for TN (in the T20s) since the injury. I couldn’t perform, but the way I’m approaching the games, I’m getting the rhythm back. I feel 100 per cent fit now,’ stated Vijay.

After the Bangladesh Test, India will take on Australia in a four-Test series. Vijay also revealed that he plans to counter the threat posed by Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc.

‘I’m up for any challenge and I have strong belief in my ability and skill. I just hope I don’t have any more injuries. I have gone through a phase where I have been injured quite a bit and have had to come out of it’, concluded the 32-year-old.