IND vs SL: Hanuma Vihari Gives Same Sense Of Calm As Cheteshwar Pujara Used To Give It To Indian Dressing Room: Sunil Gavaskar

Legendary Indian player Sunil Gavaskar said that Hanuma Vihari played like Cheteshwar Pujara on the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Vihari came into bat at No.3 as Pujara was dropped from the Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka. Vihari scored 58 off 128 balls including five boundaries at a strike rate of 45.31.

IND vs SL: Hanuma Vihari made 58 vs SL in the first innings

Vihari was involved in a 90-run stand with Virat Kohli, who is playing in his remarkable 100th Test match. The Hyderabad player’s innings was halted by Vishwa Fernando as the bowler pitched the ball outside off stumps before the batter dragged back onto his stumps.

Hanuma Vihari has been very impressive: Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar appreciated Vihari’s patience at the crease and the former Indian player compared how the Hyderabad player batted like Pujara. Gavaskar was impressed with Vihari batting with a straight bat and said nobody in the dressing room might have felt nervous with his performance.

“He (Hanuma Vihari) has given the same sense of calm to the Indian dressing room as Pujara used to. When Pujara was at the crease, you could breathe easy. You knew that one end would be tight,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports. 

“Look at the time he has to get into position. Very impressive. He was impressive in South Africa where the pitches were far more difficult. The way he farmed the strike in the 2nd innings to bat with the tail and get valuable runs.

“He has been very impressive. Look at the straightness of the bat. Most of the runs have come from the full face of the bat. Not once would the dressing room has felt any nervousness because of the way he has been batting. He has looked so good,” he added. 

India ended Day 1 at 357 for six wickets down as Rishabh Pant blasted 96 runs with nine fours and four sixes. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (45) is batting along with his spin bowling partner Ravichandran Ashwin (10).

Also Read: IND vs SL: He Has A Solid Defensive Technique – Saba Karim Explains Why Hanuma Vihari Should Be Persisted With