Vijay says bowlers need to keep patience on Nagpur wicket

Nagpur, Nov 7 (UNI) Test debutant M Vijay today asserted that patience would be the key in the ongoing last Test between India and Australia, and has backed off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to give the home team some early breakthroughs tomorrow.

''The wicket has become slow and on this wicket, the bowlers patience is important if you have to take wickets,'' Vijay said after the day's play today.

Australia first dismissed India for 441 and then made a strong reply with 189 for two at stumps.

When asked whether he was surprised at the call up for Tests, Vijay said, ''I would not say I was surprised as I have been playing well in the Challengers and other tournaments. Infact I was expecting a call for the ODIs, but getting a call for the Tests is also very nice and it is a honour to be able to represent your country.'' He also praised the seniors in the side for helping him out and discussing technical details with him.

''Virender Sehwag had been very good and when we were batting together. I was a little conscious, but he told me to relax and made be comfortable in the middle.

''He (Sehwag) told me to just stay at the wicket and runs would come automatically,'' Vijay added.

On the difference between the Tests and domestic cricket, Vijay said the pace in the international cricket is much more than in domestic and one has to concentrate hard to negotiate that.

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