India vs Sri Lanka 2017, Second Test: Hits and Misses

Hit: Murali Vijay

After the toss on day one of the first Test, a lot of eyebrows were raised on the exclusion of opening batsman Murali Vijay from the playing XI. The Tamil Nadu opener last played a competitive game in March before he underwent a wrist surgery and decided to opt out of India's tour of Sri Lanka.

Coming into the match, Vijay, who was decent in the Ranji Trophy this season, needed to score big to prove a point. The right-hander came out all guns blazing as he scored a fluent 128 off 221 balls with 11 fours and one six.

He looked in complete control throughout his innings and his signature drives through the off-side and down the ground suggested that the opener is ready for the challenge. His 209-run partnership for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 143, set the tone for India for a big total.