Playing For My Spot Was Never A Thought: Hanuma Vihari

Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin were involved in an epic, a daunting, gritty match-saving partnership at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) against Australia. The fielding coach, R. Sridhar has revealed that Hanuma Vihari struggled to even walk upon returning to the dressing room as he batted most part of his 161-ball stay with a torn hamstring, pulling it early on in his innings. Vihari and Ashwin held the fort for over 250 deliveries against, arguably, Australia’s greatest bowling attack to escape a loss.

However, Vihari, who has scored just 49 runs till India’s fourth innings in Sydney, didn’t care for his spot in the team and batted according to the demand of the situation and risked aggravating his hamstring injury – eventually he batted with it — and is ruled out of the home Test series against England.

“While me and Ashwin were batting we never realized what we were doing, I mean in terms of how big an achievement it was because against all odds batting for about 45 overs together and to be able to survive on Day 5 pitch against that bowling attack. I realized I had an injury, and the only thing I could do from that situation was bat time and make sure we drew that game,” Hanuma Vihari told Star Sports.

“It was the only thing in my mind, playing for my spot was never a thought – that was not my intention, only wanted to bat according to the situation of the game. The insecurity of my place was never a thing,” Hanuma Vihari added.

I owed the team that innings: Hanuma Vihari

Hanuma Vihari adds that despite the injury he decided to bat after Tea to repay the faith that the management showed in him. The 27-year-old promising cricketer was more than happy to contribute to the team’s cause in Sydney – after drawing the third Test, India went on to win the fourth match in Brisbane and clinched the series.

“I felt that I owed the team that innings because of the trust they have shown in me in the first couple of Tests and then to be given an opportunity in the third game. I felt in the tea break that I owe them big time and I am happy that I could do it,” Hanuma Vihari maintained.

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