The young Indian cricketer, Hanuma Vihari has played just one Test for India against England where he scored a fifty batting and No.6 and then picked 3 wickets with his medium-pace in the fifth Test at Kennington Oval. However, recently, in an interview, he said that he is available for anything the team needs of him. He even acknowledged that skipper Virat Kohli and other senior cricketers in the team helped him learn a lot on the England tour which was his first exposure to international cricket.
During an exclusive interview with the Times of India, Vihari said, “Australians have a great bowling attack. My captain, Virat Kohli, and other seniors helped me in England. I am taking everything I learned to Australia. I will play in Australia the way I played in England. I am ready to bat at any position. If my captain asks me to open, I will. If he asks me to bat in the middle or lower order, I am ready for that as well.”
Vihari also aware that a fifty is good only at times but it is the centuries that counts. In his maiden outing against England, he scored a fifty but got out on 56 from 127 balls. He is also taking Australia as a huge opportunity and thanked the captain for showing faith in him.
ALSO READ: Setbacks Have Made Hanuman Vihari A Better Person
The youngster elaborated, “It is going to be a big series for me. I have worked hard for this. Want to thank my captain for showing faith in me. Getting a fifty overseas and that too on my maiden international tour was a big thing for me. I will try to continue this kind of performance in Australia.”
In his 66-match first-class career he has picked 22 wickets with the best of 3/17 and in the only Test he has played bowled just over 10 overs and picked 3 wickets in the second innings. He acknowledged that bowling is not his primary trade but again if there’s a need for it in the team he doesn’t mind contributing with that either.
Vihari confirmed, “Bowling is not my primary strength. But I can bowl when my team demands it. I have certain variations that I use when bowling. When my captain asked me to bowl in England, I did and thankfully took three wickets.”
Hanuma Vihari also took some valuable tips from one of the Indian greats who come from the same part of the world VVS Laxman. He said that he had a word with Laxman after the England tour and he had asked him to start training for Australia now. The veteran had also made himself available to the Ranji Trophy team and helped them with their batting techniques among other things.
