Would've Been Great If I Had Been A Part Of IPL, Says Hanuma Vihari As He Trains In Hyderabad For Australia Tour

At a time when most of the cricketers from India are in UAE for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Hanuma Vihari is in his hometown Hyderabad. Away from the hustle and bustle of IPL 2020, the right-handed batsman is preparing himself for the challenging tour of Australia which is scheduled to take place towards the end of the year.

Hanuma Vihari is one of the two centrally contracted India players (the other being Cheteshwar Pujara) not part of the IPL as both the cricketers could not find a suitor in the last players’ auction.

Hanuma Vihari is definitely disappointed over not being a part of the IPL as he said it would have been great to play the tournament. At the same time, he made it clear that he cannot keep thinking about it as he has his eyes on the four-match Test series in Australia.

“It would have been great if I had been a part of IPL but I can’t think about it,” Hanuma Vihari told PTI.

Due to the COVID-19 related restrictions, ground are not available for training. But it has not stopped Hanuma Vihari from training. The India Test star has been doing his own net sessions with the help of none other than Indian team’s fielding coach, R Sridhar, in their hometown.

“Yes, Sridhar sir is helping me in my training and due to lockdown, you don’t have grounds open. I am batting on matting wicket during net session,” said the batting star.

Hanuma Vihari is not new to playing in Australia. He was part of the team that won the historic series in 2018-19. During that series, he had also opened the innings and he knows what is needed to succeed in the challenging conditions of Australia. He stated that the bounce on Australian tracks makes it challenging for the batsman.

“The grounds are all closed and this is the resource available. The bounce is different and its a challenge,” said the 26-year-old, who has an average of 58 plus in first-class cricket in 85 games.

If not for the pandemic, Hanuma Vihari would have gained some crucial overseas experience by playing in England’s County championship. But he is likely to be seen in action again when India tour Australia.

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