India seek to express themselves against Afghanistan

India have been in imperious form in home Tests and come into the one-off Test against Afghanistan as comfortable favourites.

Opener Murali Vijay says that India will be looking to ‘express themselves’ which is a euphemism top Test nations use for ‘we are going to absolutely smash them and we are going to have fun doing it’.

A defeat to Afghanistan at home is something that is unthinkable for India fans.

India must win, though Vijay says they are keen to have fun, which he says is crucial for him at this stage in his career.

“Afghanistan is a quality side and Test cricket as such is a test for any player,” he told The Times of India. “The Test against Afghanistan gives us an opportunity to go out there and express ourselves.”

Vijay is in the process of preparing himself for the highly anticipated five Test series in England.

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The opener says that scoring runs in England was mostly about being in the right frame of mind.

He said: “It will definitely be an interesting game and from thereon, the strategies for the England series will start.

“Even experienced players tend to struggle in England as the conditions are alien. Scoring runs in such conditions is a mental game and you have to be persistent.

“It is important to bide your time, believe in yourself and runs will come. That’s what I have looked to do throughout my career.”

Vijay says that team results are more important to him than personal achievements or milestones.

He added: “I have been telling people that it’s about winning more than individual performances. You can perform well but at the end of the day if the team doesn’t win (the series), then it doesn’t give much happiness.”