INDIA TOUR OF WEST INDIES, 2019

Cool head, calm approach - what's not to like in Hanuma Vihari?

by Subash Jayaraman • Last updated on

The quiet, unassuming Vihari was the first player to be picked to play for India from Andhra since MSK Prasad, now the chief of selectors, since 1999. © Getty

The India Under-19 squad that won the world in Townsville, Queensland in 2012 had a few stars that were earmarked for future national duty. Ian Chappell gushed about Harmeet Singh, the left-arm spinner, drawing comparisons with another Sikh left-arm spinner who was considered one of the best ever. The skipper Unmukt Chand was praised for his leadership, drew attention from IPL franchises, and has already written books! People salivated over the strokeplay of Vijay Zol, and Baba Aparajith quickly found a spot in the Tamil Nadu Ranji squad and has occupied a spot in the top order. But it would be Hanuma Vihari - who found a spot in the U-19 side only because Manan Vohra missed out due to a thumb injury - that would actually get picked for India and would play a Test match before any of his World Cup-winning teammates.

The quiet, unassuming Vihari was the first player to be picked to play for India from Andhra since MSK Prasad, now the chief of selectors, since 1999. Before somebody jumps to conclusions about nepotism, Vihari was averaging nearly 60 in first-class cricket when the call-up to join India in the middle of a Test series in England in 2018 came through.

When he appeared for the post-match press conference instead of captain Virat Kohli at Antigua where India routed West Indies in the fourth innings, he had the look of a proper nerd who was just happy to be there. He had just recorded his highest score in his five-Test career and had fallen just shy of his maiden century. Yet he provided a sunny disposition, smiling through his disappointment of falling short of a major personal milestone.

As England took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, Vihari received his India cap from Kohli at the Oval, in a dead rubber. The biggest fear for Sunil Gavaskar allegedly, when he made his debut in 1971, was that he would embarrass himself at the highest level on the world's stage after having put in all the hard work over the years. Surely, Vihari must have felt something along those lines. If Gavaskar felt it, it isn't unreasonable to think another batsman to feel similarly. Vihari would not have the same type of dynamite debut like Gavaskar, but he did score a half-century in his first Test innings - a calm 56 off 124 balls, but then nought in the second innings as India's efforts to salvage a miraculous win fell short.

If making a Test debut in England after having brought in towards the tail-end of the series wasn't difficult enough, VIhari found himself playing at Perth after India won the opening Test of the series down under in Adelaide. As Indian bowlers lost their way on the opening day, Vihari produced surprising turn on the first day of the Test (and bounce, but that's to be expected in Perth) and plucked out the wickets of Marcus Harris and Shaun Marsh.

He would then be asked to do even more - for someone playing just their third Test match: open the innings in front of a raucous 80000-plus crowd on Boxing Day at the G. Vihari would summon all his first-class experience to blunt the Australian bowling attack for nearly 19 overs before he couldn't get out of the way of a steepling delivery from Pat Cummins. He scored only eight runs but had faced 66 deliveries which drew special mention from the captain and the coach as India would go on to win the Test and the series.

Vihari would then be sent down the order in the next Test in Sydney. Yo-yos have had better days than Vihari did at the start of his career. However, Ravi Shastri did mention that Vihari has done enough to deserve a "long run" in the middle order.

When asked about Vihari's role in the side, Kohli addressed it quite directly: "Look, Vihari has done really well since he has come in. He came on two difficult tours; it all depends on what combination we want to go in with. Vihari gives a few overs and he is a solid player as well." That provided all the indication one would need to recognize that Vihari would be chosen ahead of Rohit Sharma in the opening Test. That the Indian team would also count on Vihari for his offspin - if needed - and would choose Ravindra Jadeja ahead of R Ashwin, which was unexpected.

Vihari would not be drawn into comparing what he brought to the table over the others and was matter-of-fact about the decisions taken by the team management. "[T]he management wants certain combinations... and we try and give our best for the team. That's all we can do." He did however relayed the effect such a move has a player at the beginning of his career, to be picked over more experienced teammates. "Definitely, [if] the management has the trust in you, it gives the freedom to express myself and that's exactly what I did [in Antigua]."

As Kemar Roach threatened to rip India apart on the opening day of the Test, Vihari stitched an 83-run partnership with Rahane, built over 123 deliveries, taking India to relatively safe waters. The same partnership would be realised (135 off 226 balls) in the second innings but the complexion of the game had changed; this time it was to shut the door on West Indies. He played a more aggressive knock (93 off 128) and recorded his second half-century of his fledgling career.

Vihari understood, on a slowing pitch, Indian bowlers might need all the time they could have to bowl West Indies out a second time. And so, he had planned his approach to a possible ton well, that he would attack quickly to get close to his hundred and then take his time.

Though his plans did not pan out exactly the way he wanted, he wasn't unfazed or overly disappointed about missing the landmark. "Unfortunately, it didn't happen, but I am happy that I could contribute to the team's success. Maybe, one day will come when I cross that three-figure mark."

But if Vihari were to continue on the path he is on, it would be hard for the team management to not include him in the side. Cool head, calm approach, safe fielder and a few overs of spin. What's not to like? Surely the day is not far when Vihari would have his arms aloft to acknowledge his first Test century.

© Cricbuzz

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