IND vs SL: Great Opportunity Batting At Number Three For India: Hanuma Vihari

India batter Hanuma Vihari said that he was happy to be batting at no.3 for the Indian team after the end of play on day one of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali on March 4, 2022.

This Test match also saw the debut of Rohit Sharma as the 35^th Test captain of the Indian team and Virat Kohli, the former captain, reached the amazing milestone of 100 Test matches. He became the 12^th Indian, and 71^st player overall to reach this milestone.

Rohit Sharma made 28, Mayank Agarwal made 33, Virat Kohli made 45, adding 90 runs with Hanuma Vihari for 3^rd wicket. Shreyas Iyer well for 28, but then Rishabh Pant (96) went after the Sri Lankan bowlers in the post-tea session and added 102 quick runs with Ravindra Jadeja (45*).

Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer replaced Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane respectively at no.3 and 5 in the Indian XI for this Test match.

I Would Prefer Batting At No. 3 Because That’s Where I Bat In First-Class Cricket: Hanuma Vihari

Hanuma Vihari looked good his score of 58 runs in 128 balls and it was only because of a lapse in concentration that he edged one ball onto his own stumps to end what was looking like a promising knock.

Vihari was handed the no.3 spot in the Indian XI, which was previously held by Cheteshwar Pujara, who along with Ajinkya Rahane was dropped from the side for this two-match Test series.

Vihari had been out of contention ever since injuring his hamstring in the SCG Test, as he rarely got to play matches in India and was even ignored for the South Africa tour, only to be added at the last minute and played one Test when Kohli sat out due to back spasms.

He said that he was happy batting at no.3 and preferred that position while conversing with the commentators at the end of the day’s play.

“Felt good going out in the middle. I was batting well, and I had a good preparation. Great opportunity batting at number three for India. I am happy to bat wherever the team wants me to, but my most preferred position is number three, I have done it in first class cricket,” Vihari said.

“I thought initially the ball was coming onto the bat well. But once the ball went old, it was difficult to time the ball well. Rishabh is a different kind of a batsman and it was a special innings.

“We all know how he bats, and it was a special innings today. He helped us get to 350+ on the first day, which will be helpful going forward,” he added.

India ended day one on 356/7.

Also Read: IND v SL: ‘He Won’t Be Happy With 30-40 Runs’- Sanjay Bangar Says Rohit Sharma Needs To Show Restraint