Vijay Back where it all began

Vijay relives what he calls an “extraordinary game” at the Ferozeshah Kotla — four players making their debuts,three of them going on to play for India in a short span. In that match,two Delhi batsmen scored a century in that game to help Delhi take the first innings lead,of the two,Rajat Bhatia is now the skipper while Vijay Dahiya is the coach of the side.

“There were three other debutants in that match apart from me — Ishant Sharma,Virat Kohli and Vikram Mani. In fact,Ishant mentioned this to me when we were together in New Zealand that how three of the debutants from that match all made it big and are playing for India. I don’t know of many matches like that where a bunch of players went on to play for India. So,that’s another reason to remember that match,” he says.

Comparing the two matches,the 25-year-old doesn’t flinch to say that the 2006 game at Kotla induced more nervousness than the crucial quarter-final,which begins on Thursday. “I think the debut was a more pressure game than this coming match. At that time,there’s this nervousness to establish yourself,there were many questions asked and expectations on you and it was a first stepping stone in your career. Captaining a side is still easier because I know the batch well,and it’s only about handling the team well,” he says.

With the mercury further dipping in the city,the weather is far from welcoming for the cricketers from south India. In such conditions,opening the innings is an added risk but Vijay is keen to lead by example. “I try to keep it simple and remember the basics each time I got out and open the innings. I know these are cold conditions and the ball swings a lot more here. One has to be little more conscious and I think one can’t go pre-planned into an innings,” he says.

Vijay isn’t ready for a Team India discussion and says he will not venture into predicting about his next stint. “I don’t expect things in my life,so that’s helps me not to think about my next chance with Team India. Right now,I am enjoying my stint with Tamil Nadu and would like to take it match by match. All I am focused about is performance and the results,the rest will take care of itself.”

The Tamil Nadu side had a good hit at the nets on Tuesday and is digging up database on old friends from the junior circuit to do the homework on their opponents’ weaknesses and strengths. “We have been recollecting all the things we can about this Delhi side. The good thing is the boys are aware of their opponents and know each other having played together in the junior circuits. I am happy if the team approaches this game from a ‘blank stage’,not think too much about the opponents and just enjoy the game. We had a good net session today,the boys were hitting the ball from the middle and hopefully we will have a good outing.” And perhaps,another extraordinary one.