Murali Vijay praises Ravi Shastri & Co for positive dressing room environment

New Delhi: Praising Team Director Ravi Shastri for lifting the morale, Test opener Murali Vijay has said that the former all-rounder has entered the Indian cricket dressing room at the right time as things have fallen into place with the current coaching set-up.

Vijay, who scored a crucial 82 in the second innings in India's turnaround in the second Test against Sri Lanka, said that Shastri, assistant coach Sanjay Bangar, bowling consultant Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar, whose tenures were extended recently, have played an important role in nurturing a healthy environment in the team.

"They have really helped us in getting a good atmosphere in the dressing room because I feel you should be feeling comfortable inside the dressing room to do well outside," Vijay was quoted as saying by 'ESPNcricinfo'.

"Ravi bhai has his own style of putting it across. (He lifts the mood) 100 percent. Just the energy you get onto the table. At the right time, I think, he has come. It's all fallen in place. Obviously, B Arun and R Sridhar as well (have been great). Everybody is trying to do his best to give us the best atmosphere," he added.

Vijay's role in the Sri Lanka series was limited to the second Test at the P Sara Oval as he had missed the first and third Tests with a hamstring injury. The 31-year-old though has been working on his fitness ahead of the South Africa series.

"Actually, I'm pretty excited (about the South Africa series) and only one thing I'm concentrating at the moment is my fitness.

"I've been working on my rehabilitation. So, I think pretty good three weeks. I am at a good state now. I'm on the right track at the moment, and am happy about it. But, I am not thinking too far ahead because there's a month and a half to go for the Test series," said Vijay.

The Indian top-order has seen a lot of competition in recent times with Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma all vying for a place in the XI. Vijay, who has represented India in 33 Tests, is not too bothered about the competition.

"It's been unbelievable because everybody is talented. It's a healthy competition," Vijay said.

"I never think that way (about outscoring others). If Shikhar is getting runs, I would like to give him the credit like 'you are batting brilliantly' and vice-versa. That's what he does to me. There's nothing like 'you get 150, I get 180.' It's about going together and going for the same cause."