This century was special, says Murali Vijay

Mumbai, Dec 10 (CRICKETNMORE) Having helped India wrest the advantage in the ongoing fourth cricket Test against England with a superb century, Murali Vijay asserted that this innings was special since it came after a couple of poor scores.

Vijay had got a century in the first Test in Rajkot but could only manage scores of 20, 3, 12 and 0 in the four innings of the next two Tests in Visakhapatnam and Mohali respectively.

The opener was facing problems against the short pitched deliveries and seemed out of form although India captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble reposed their faith in him.

But the Tamil Nadu batsman silenced the critics with a masterly 136-run innings and handed India the advantage by producing a 116-run stand with Kohli.

"It is special because I started off well in this series. But I could not do well in a couple of matches. I was getting out too early and I just came out with a much clearer mindset and I just wanted to back my instincts and play," Vijay told reporters here on Saturday.

The 32-year-old admitted that he was facing problems with his shot selection but he worked on correcting those issues in the run up to the fourth Test.

"I did think about it because I was playing at the balls I should have been leaving. There are a lot of other factors to it.

"But definitely my game is to bat my core game. I believe in that and I came back fresh and played the way I want to play," Vijay said.

Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel had stated on Friday that the Indian spinners are far superior to their English counterparts.

Vijay however, felt that the England spinners did reasonably well although he managed to score off them.

"They bowled well in patches. I personally felt that me and Virat played really well. We just need to play according to the situation and work in pairs," he said.

"My game plan is to attack the spinners because I don't want them to settle in one particular area where they find it comfortable. So I just want to use my feet and the depth of the crease and play according to my game plan."

India ended the third day of the Test at 451/7 in their first innings with Kohli and promising youngster Jayant Yadav at the crease.

The hosts are leading England's first innings total by 51 runs. Kohli was unbeaten on 147 while Jayant was batting on 30.

Vijay praised the pitch at the Wankhede Stadium, asserting that the advantage now rests firmly with the Indians.

"I think it is a very true wicket for the Test format because everyone had to work to their game plan and be very clear in their mindset to deliver. Everybody specially the bowlers had to really work their plans out.

"It was a fantastic wicket to play this game," Vijay said.

"Any lead is gold on this wicket. The way Virat and Jayant are batting, I think we are at a pretty good situation.

"He (Kohli) is improving everyday. All I can say is that he is batting at his prime which is great for us. Hopefully he can continue it for a long period," he added.