IND vs SL: If Someone Can Fill No.3 Position Well, It's Hanuma Vihari - Sanjay Bangar

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar believes that the ideal candidate to replace Cheteshwar Pujara at No.3 is Hanuma Vihari. Although Vihari has been played in the middle-order most often, he has the game for the No.3 slot, as per Bangar.

Now that Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have returned to domestic cricket to find their touch, the Indian team has two batting slots available. There is a 3-way battle going on for the positions with Vihari, Shreyas Iyer, and Shubman Gill vying for them.

“I would like to see Hanuma Vihari at No. 3. He has an ideal game for No. 3 because you have to see off the new ball slightly so that the middle order is protected. He is a player who has scored big runs in domestic cricket for a long time.“

“He was sitting after scoring more than 5000 runs, then played Test cricket, played some good knocks as well. After that, he had to miss out due to a number of reasons. The job Pujara did exceeding well for so many years, if someone can fill that position very well, I feel it is Vihari,” Bangar told Star Sports.

Irfan Pathan reckons Hanuma Vihari for the No.3 spot temporarily

Irfan Pathan concurred with Bangar, stating that Vihari should certainly be looked at as the ideal candidate, even though it is temporary. Irfan opined that Gill has the best technique for the role once he gains some experience.

“You have to find answers to just two questions. Shreyas Iyer has almost answered the No. 5 question. I feel Shreyas Iyer is better down the order and I agree with Sanjay Bhai, Hanuma Vihari at No. 3 for the short term.”

“But long term, if I see the next eight years or so, it will depend on the performance as well, Shubman Gill can be a very good option at No. 3 because he has an excellent technique to play against the fast bowlers and plays spin also very well after getting set,” Irfan mentioned.

The Indian team’s combination will be determined when they take on Sri Lanka on March 4 in the first Test in Mohali.

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