The Indian Test specialist, Hanuma Vihari recalled his heroics at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) against Australia in the third Test. He owed his knock to the team that innings because of the trust is shown in him by the team and provided him with opportunity despite failing in previous matches. Vihari, who was going through a lean patch, put on a brilliant fight as he played 161 balls and formed a game-changing partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin to deny Australia a win in the third Test.

Recalling his knock, Hanuma Vihari said, “I and Ashwin never realized what we were doing — in terms of how big an achievement it was. He and I batted for about 45 overs against all odds. To be able to survive on a Day 5 pitch against that bowling attack… To be able to be in the present helped me because I realized that I had an injury, and I can’t run. The only thing I could do from that situation was to bat time and cut down the overs and make sure we drew that game.”

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He further added, “That was the only thing on my mind, playing for my spot was never my intention. I was only batting according to the situation of the game. I somehow felt that I owed the team that innings because the trust they have shown in me in the first couple of games, and then they gave me an opportunity in the third game as well. So, I somehow felt in the tea break that I owe them big time and I am happy I could do it.”

After the conclusion of the third Test, it was found that Vihari was batting with a Grade 2 hamstring tear to script a memorable draw in Sydney. He also revealed that he and Ashwin communicated in “three or four languages” during their innings.

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Talking about Ashwin, Hanuma Vihari said, “Ashwin and I spoke like in three or four languages when we were playing. It was nice, it was a very unique experience to be able to bat with him. Basically, we share a good rapport, both on and off the field. But to be able to build a partnership with him, not in terms of runs, but in terms of balls… Actually, he was batting from one end, he was facing (Nathan) Lyon pretty comfortably, so that somehow made things easier.”