Murali Vijay officially announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday. The last time Vijay played for the country was in the Perth Test against Australia in December 2018.
The right-handed batter had announced his retirement in a statement posted on Twitter. “I am excited to announce that I will be exploring new opportunities in the world of cricket and the business side of it, where I will also continue to participate in the sport that I love and challenge myself in new and different environments,” Vijay wrote.
@BCCI @TNCACricket @IPL @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/ri8CCPzzWK
— Murali Vijay (@mvj888) January 30, 2023
Vijay played 61 Tests, 17 ODIs, and 9 T20Is for India since making his debut in November 2008 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He scored 3982 runs in Tests with 12 centuries and 15 fifties, 339 runs in ODIs with a solitary half-century, and 169 runs in T20Is.
From 2013-2018, the Indian cricketer was a key player for India’s Test squad. When India played all their Test cricket away from home – in South Africa, New Zealand, England, and Australia – Vijay faced the most balls and scored the second-most runs for the team. He was also one of only three players to average more than 40.
He also played 135 first-class and 94 List-A cricket matches for Tamil Nadu, last appearing in late 2019. Murali also appeared in 106 IPL matches, scoring 2619 runs with two tons and 13 fifties, last appearing in September 2020.
Aside from high run scores, Vijay showed an amazing performance in the Indian Premier League T20 tournament and won two titles with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011. The Chennai-born player also had short stints with Essex and Somerset in the English county championship.
In addition to announcing his retirement and goal to pursue new opportunities in cricket and business, the player expressed his gratitude to different people.
“To all my team-mates, coaches, mentors, and support staff: It has been an absolute privilege to have played with you all, and I thank you for helping me turn my dream into reality,” he said in his statement. He also thanked his fans for their support through his ups and downs, and said, “I will forever cherish the moments I spent with you all and your support has always been a source of motivation for me.
At the end of his statement, the player thanked his family and friends for their unconditional love and support throughout his career.
Vijay’s retirement statement was not the first time that he talked about seeking opportunities elsewhere. “I am almost done with BCCI and am looking for opportunities abroad,” the player said in one interview.
He added, “The media should also address it differently. I feel you are peaking in your 30s. Sitting here right now, I feel I can bat the best way I can. But, unfortunately, the opportunities were fewer, and I had to search for chances outside. I honestly feel as a person, you can only do what’s in your hand. You can’t control the uncontrollable. Whatever happened, happened.”