I was determined to bat on: Vijay

"It is always wonderful to get a good start for the team. A partnership like this doesn't happen all the time. We really cherished it. Pujara played very well," he told reporters after he, along with Cheteshwar Pujara, added 294 runs for the second wicket on the second day's play at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium yesterday.

Two good: Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara (right) celebrate their centuries at Hyderabad yesterday

"The last Test hit me very hard because I gave away my wicket in the second innings. I just wanted to stay at the wicket as long as possible. So that was my intention. It doesn't matter how the wicket is. I am happy that I gave a good start to the team," said Vijay, who scored 10 and 6 in the Chennai Test.

Pressure on him
The 28-year-old Tamil Nadu opener admitted that there was pressure on him. "I don't take things from outside but I was thinking to come out of the mistakes I made in the first Test. I was just looking for this. I was preparing myself to fight out as long as possible. I wanted to stay and not give away my wicket. I don't know about that but I am really happy at the moment for the performance," he said when asked if his knock would help him stabilise his position in the team.

The Indian opener said it was a nice wicket to bat on if one hangs on. "It is not easy to score runs but it is getting better. The wicket is playing spin but it's not consistent. You can't take any spinner easy. We both batted well and didn't give enough chances," he said.