Murali Vijay hung his boots from all forms of international cricket; will pursue his cricketing career outside India
Veteran Indian cricketer Murali Vijay has finally hung his boots from the international cricket. On Monday, January 30, the 38-year-old took to social media and announced his retirement. Vijay made his international debut for India in November 2008 against Australia in the Tests in Nagpur.
He registered a score of 33 and 41 runs in the first two innings of his debut match. Vijay went on to represent India in all three formats. Notably, Vijay's debut test was the last game for former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly. But his best performance was in red-ball cricket.
He played his last test against Australia in Perth in December 2014. In his almost 10-year-long international career, Vijay has represented India in 61 Tests and scored 3982 runs at an average of 38.28. He has also scored 12 centuries and 15 half-centuries, with a high score of 167 runs.
The 38-year-old registered the sixth-highest partnership for the second wicket, along with Cheteshwar Pujara. Both players added 370 runs against Australia in Hyderabad in March 2013. He took to his official social media handle and posted a long post, thanking everyone and also confirming the new endeavour he will be doing.
He wrote, "Today, with immense gratitude and humility, I announce my retirement from all forms of International cricket."
@BCCI @TNCACricket @IPL @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/ri8CCPzzWK
— Murali Vijay (@mvj888) January 30, 2023
The 38-year-old thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Tamil Nadu state cricket association, and his IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings, for the support he received in his cricketing career at different stages.
He made his IPL debut in 2009 for CSK and played until the 2013 season. Then he joined Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for the 2014 season. From 2015 to 2017, he was part of the Punjab Kings, then rejoined CSK in 2018 and played until 2020, which was his last IPL season. Overall, he played 106 IPL games and scored 2619 runs at 25.93 with two centuries and 13 half-centuries.