'They see us as 80-year-olds' - Veteran India opener says he is 'almost done' with Indian Cricket

During his time in international cricket with the Indian team, Murali Vijay had some great performances. However, he has faded out of the team in the last few years. The seasoned opener, who has played in 61 Tests (3982 runs), 17 ODIs (339 runs), and nine T20 Internationals (169 runs), has declared that he is "almost done" with cricket in India and wants to continue playing the game abroad.

The 38-year-old played in the Tamil Nadu Premier League until recently. In a Test match against Australia in Perth in December 2018, he made his final appearance for India. According to Murali Vijay, getting opportunities in Indian cricket is becoming harder because of his age.

After 30 in India, it's a taboo: Murali Vijay

"I am almost done with BCCI (smiles) and I want to find my ways abroad. Play little bit of competitive cricket," Vijay told WV Raman on Wednesdays with WV, a weekly show on Sportstar.

"After 30 in India, it's a taboo (smiles). They see us as 80-year-olds walking on street. I don't want to get into any controversy. The media should also address it differently. I feel you are peaking in your 30s. Sitting here right now, I can bat the way I bat now. But unfortunately or fortunately, the opportunities are less, and I have to search for my opportunities outside."

Murali Vijay withdrew from the Tamil Nadu team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2020. He recently participated in an amateur golf competition. He took part in the Chennai Open Golf Championship.

It should be noted that the Indian Cricket Board does not permit its players to compete in franchise T20 leagues, but does not object to them competing in foreign county leagues (red balls games). It will be interesting to see if Vijay moves permanently to the West in order to play cricket full-time.