Hanuma Vihari
Hanuma Vihari. (Credits: Twitter)

Once again, the Andhra batsman Hanuma Vihari showed his brilliance for India in the red-ball cricket. He scored a blistering century under pressure for India in the three-day practice match in Hamilton. His partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara helped India to post a respectable score on the board.

Batting first on a green top, Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal walked back for cheap scores while Shubman Gill first ball duck made scorecard read 5/3. Though Rahane fought for a while, James Neesham gave a much-needed breakthrough to put India on the back foot with the scorecard reading 38/4.

Then came the magical knock from Hanuma Vihari, who played sensibly with Cheteshwar Pujara. He shared a 195-run stand for the sixth wicket and took India out of troubled waters.

While Pujara fell seven runs short of a well deserved hundred, Vihari reached the milestone taking 182 balls for his century.

The right-hander chose to retire soon after completing his hundred at the score of 101*.

Hanuma Vihari
Hanuma Vihari. (Credits: Twitter)

Pujara was there to help me – Hanuma Vihari

Speaking of the same, Vihari said that the wicket has a bounce, which he never experienced before in New Zealand.

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Vihari further explained how he countered the swing with a few adjustments to his batting alongside the advice from Pujara.

“The wicket had a good bounce. I feel more than what I have experienced before in New Zealand. I took some time to adjust and then once I knew what shots I have to avoid – maybe horizontal shots are something which I can avoid early on in this wicket – so I tried to avoid that,” Vihari told reporters after the stumps on day one.

Hanuma Vihari
Hanuma Vihari. Credit: Getty

“When I went in, the wicket was doing a lot. There was a lot of grass cover on the wicket and we lost four early wickets. I have made a few adjustments in the middle because wickets in Lincoln was quite different from what it is here. It adds pace and bounces early on and with the new ball, it was a challenge. Pujara was there to help me. He told me what I could do, leave more balls on this wicket,” he added.

Ready to open if the team requires: Hanuma Vihari

Further, Vihari added that he would like to open the innings in absence of Rohit Sharma if the team wants him to take the role. He added that there are no issues for him to adjust, as he is aware of playing the new ball.

“Obviously, as a player, I will be prepared to bat anywhere. As of now, I have not been informed anything but if the team requests me to bat wherever in the order I’m ready to,” he concluded.

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