Watch: Virat Kohli Applauds Hanuma Vihari As Debutant Justifies Selection With Fighting Fifty

Virat Kohli’s reaction said it all when Hanuma Vihari reached his fifty. The team-management was severely criticised when it picked Vihari in the playing eleven for the fifth England vs India Test. And the reason was obvious.

The selection of Vihari over Karun Nair to replace Hardik Pandya became the subject of massive debate with former players, media and fans taking contrasting positions. Vihari, inducted into the squad only for the last two Tests, perhaps got the nod for his ability to bowl off-spins. But his selection still attracted widespread criticism as Nair was benched again despite being with the team since the start of the series.

However, Vihari answered his critics in style by slamming a heroic fifty on his debut. The start of his maiden Test innings with the bat was not a smooth one. He was beaten, struggled to time his shots but showed the temperament to hang on. The right-hander began the day on 25 and looked rock solid in tough conditions. Facing James Anderson and Stuart Broad in overcast conditions is a nightmare for any batsmen in the world but the debutant showed remarkable technique to hang on and compile a fighting fifty.

And as soon as he completed a single to reach the milestone, Virat Kohli quickly came to the balcony and clapped in delight, applauding the debutant for justifying the decision

Here is a clip showing Virat Kohli applauding Vihari in the fifth England vs India Test:

WATCH – Vihari brings up a fifty on debut #ENGvIND https://t.co/fRRrlTORNN

— Akhil Gupta ? (@Guptastats92) September 9, 2018

Vihari, meanwhile, departed after scoring 56. Prior to that, he added 77 runs with Ravindra Jadeja to help Virat Kohli & Co. recover from 160 for 7. At lunch, India were 240 for 7 in reply to England’s 332.