He has been like on-off switch. He flips the mind button and gets into the zone immediately. Once Murali Vijay is off the field, he just flips the switch again and voila. It seems too comfortable for him sometimes. He stays in that zone while playing lengthier innings for his team. He seems unfazed by the bowler, pitch or circumstances; which is actually a pretty special quality to have.
Technique, quality, capability, passion or his skills; these things were never doubted. Question mark was over his temperament and patience level needed to be successful in Test cricket. But he just rubbed those things off his list and became a complete, ready-made package. He worked hard for his runs, provided solid opening partnerships and became an integral part of Virat Kohli’s plans. He is someone who is calm and composed most often than not. He doesn’t give too many chances to the opposition. He sticks to his guns and puts a huge price on his wicket. His record has been getting better and better with each innings.
Since making his Test debut in 2008, he has played 45 matches, scored seven centuries and made 3015 runs. He has more than handy average of 39.15 and he has been solid opener for India for a long time now. But what is more important is his ability to score big hundreds. He doesn’t stop once he completes his centuries. He tries to keep moving forward all the time. A double century is still missing from his records but it cannot be that far away. (He has a career best of 167 against Australia).
One thing which has been vital for India’s success is his ability to stay in the middle. He has been patient and it has served him well. He has been making runs and building partnerships. His running between the wickets is good and he is a good team player as well. In a team sport, individuals don’t have too much say but players like him put their point forward strongly. He has scored most his centuries against Australia and England. This stat should cheer the Indian cricket team fans and should give them glimmer of hope. Moustach’d Monk is just getting in his groove. Watch out!
