England vs India 2018: Five Reasons why Hanuma Vihari Deserves his Maiden Test call-up

The India selectors have roped in young Hanuma Vihari and Prithvi Shaw for the last two of the five-match Test series against England. They have decided to drop out of form Murali Vijay and Kuldeep Yadav.

Meanwhile, Meanwhile, India fought their way back at Trent Bridge beating the host by 203 runs to make the series 2-1. While Virat Kohli starred with the bat, the fast bowlers did an excellent job too. It was a complete team effort as they bounced back from the Lord’s debacle.

Hanuma Vihari, a member of the 2012 U-19 World Cup team, has been a consistent scorer in Ranji Trophy and has also done well for India A in recent times.

Vihari has a staggering average of almost 60 in 63 first-class games with 5142 runs and 15 hundred to his credit. During the tour of UK, he scored 147 in a List A game against West Indies A. He also had a half-century in a four-day game against the same opponents. Recently, he also scored 54 and 148 in the two ‘Tests’ against South Africa A side at home.

Here are the five reasons why Hanuma Vihari deserves his maiden Test call-up

Consistent run-scorer in first-class cricket

Hanuma Vihari made his first-class debut for Hyderabad at the age of 17. Since then, he has amassed 5142 runs in 63 games at an average of 59.79 which includes 24 half-centuries and 15 hundred.

In fact, he has the highest first-class average amongst all active cricketers. In the 2016-17 season, he moved to Andhra Pradesh and led the state in Ranji Trophy. His best performance in the domestic circuit has been 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season where he scored 752 runs in six matches at an astonishing average of 94 which also includes his career-best score of unbeaten 302 against Odisha.

Earlier this year, he scored 183 runs against Vidarbha in the Irani Cup in March that assured his berth in India A tour of England.

Used to English conditions

The former cricketers have cited that less preparation has been the main reason behind India’s loss in the first two Tests. But Hanuma Vihari is a bit acquainted with the English conditions and the troubling Dukes ball.

For India A tour of England, the 24-year-old scored a remarkable 147 runs in Northampton against West Indies A. In six matches in England, he scored 410 runs at an average of 51.25 which includes three fifties and a ton.

Furthermore, against South Africa A at home, he scored 54 at Bengaluru before notching up 148 runs in Alur. An unknown fact, he has also played in the Shepherd Neame Essex First Division League in England for two seasons (2014 and 2015) for Hutton CC where he has scored six centuries.

Can Contribute with the ball

Hanuma Vihari can bowl some decent off-spin which will be an additional option in the hands of Virat Kohli. And probably giving his usual seamers and Ashwin a rest in the middle overs, Kohli can bring in this surprise element.

In 63 first-class games, Hanuma has scalped 19 wickets only at an average of 39.24. In fact, playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL, he had even dismissed Chris Gayle.

The middle-order will be on his toes

The middle-order has been inconsistent throughout the series which has been a major concern for the team management. With Hanuma Vihari is the squad, it will keep the incumbent players on their toes. Many former cricketers have admitted that middle-order should provide a cushion to Virat Kohli, who has been in tremendous form.

Vihari, if provided with a chance can make a mark for himself with the current form he is in.

His Strength

The young Hanuma Vihari is strong square of the wicket on both the sides of the wicket. He is a good player of cuts and pulls which will come in handy on this bouncy wickets.

“He is a very strong square of the wicket on both sides, and that is a direct sign of good back-foot play,” India Under-19 and India A bowling coach Sanath Kumar told ESPNcricinfo.

Furthermore, Vihari can also read the line of the bowler’s hand which gives him more time to play his shots.

“His picking of lengths is a great strength; it gives him more time to play his shots,” he concluded.