Australia vs India 2018: Hanuma Vihari Will Get Fair Chance in the Middle-Order if he Fails as an Opener - MSK Prasad

The Chairman of selectors of the Indian National Cricket team, MSK Prasad has said that Hanuma Vihari would get a fair chance in the middle-order if he fails to impress as an opener in the Boxing Day Test.

Meanwhile, Vihari will open alongside debutant Mayank Agarwal as the management decided to drop incumbent Murali Vijay and KL Rahul. The experienced duo has failed to put up good opening scores in the four innings’ so far. Agarwal came into the Test squad in place of Prithvi Shaw, who was unable to recover from an ankle injury.

Speaking on Hanuma Vihari’s promotion at the top-order as a wrong move, MSK Prasad noted that he would get a fair chance in the middle-order.

 “He would be given a fair chance in the middle order should he fail to make an impression as an opener in the next two Tests,” Prasad said.

Prasad, who has closely watched Hanuma Vihari bat in domestic cricket, feels he has the game to tackle the Kookaburra ball.

“It’s fine. Technically, we feel that Vihari is well-equipped. There were times where Cheteshwar Pujara also opened when the team required. The team demands it and definitely, I hope he will come out successful. Definitely, it is not a long-term solution, I can tell you that,” Prasad added.

This is an opportunity for Vihari

MSK Prasad feels Hanuma Vihari should see this as an opportunity when he gets out to open the innings for India at the MCG.

“I always feel that it (opening against Australia in 1999) was an opportunity given to me which I didn’t really live up to. We think Vihari is well-equipped to do so (than Rohit Sharma). We are convinced with his technique and definitely, he is a long-term prospect for Indian Test cricket,” he concluded.

With the series at even stevens, both sides will clash off in the third Test at the MCG on December 26 (Wednesday).