During his gritty knock, even the opposition team lauded Hanuma Vihari by giving a standing ovation. Commentators went on to compare his batting style while playing a reverse sweep to the swing of a sword. And a video of the same shot went viral on social media.
In a terrific show of mental strength and never-say-die attitude, Hanuma Vihari despite suffering from a fracture to his left forearm, batted once again in Andhra’s second innings against Madhya Pradesh in the quarter-final of the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Vihari came in to bat as the 11th player when his team were reeling under at 76/9. The Andhra captain switched from batting right-handed to left-handed to avoid his left hand from getting exposed first up and scored 15 off 16 balls which included three boundaries as well.
WATCH – Hanuma Vihari Bats With A Broken Hand In A Ranji Trophy Game
With his gutsy effort, Andhra added valuable runs and were eventually bowled out for 93, having achieved the lead of 244 runs. During his innings, even the opposition team lauded Vihari by giving a standing ovation. Commentators went on to compare his batting style while playing a reverse sweep to the swing of a sword. And a video of his shot went viral on social media.
@Hanumavihari 🧎💥🔥#HanumaVihari #RanjiTrophy2023 pic.twitter.com/O1reQglKMM
— Teja Tanush (@Tejatanush1) February 2, 2023
Taking note of Vihari’s batting prowess, the veteran Indian wicket-keeper batter, Dinesh Karthik took to Twitter on Friday morning and wrote,” It’s a REVERSE SLAP not a reverse sweep 😂. No offence to the bowler, but that was quite a shot.”
It's a REVERSE SLAP not a reverse sweep 😂
No offence to the bowler, but that was quite a shot https://t.co/iNjDjxPJsL
— DK (@DineshKarthik) February 3, 2023
Hanuma Vihari, like in the first innings when he returned to bat left-handed, braving a wrist injury, batted left-handed to score 15 coming in at No.11. He managed to score as many as three fours, including an insane reverse sweep but could not do much as the team collapsed to 93 all out in 32.3 overs. “Do it for the team. Do it for the bunch. Never give up!! Thank you everyone for your wishes. Means a lot!,” Vihari had tweeted on the second day.
Do it for the team. Do it for the bunch.
Never give up!!
Thank you everyone for your wishes. Means a lot!! pic.twitter.com/sFPbHxKpnZ— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) February 1, 2023
Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 144 for 4, Madhya Pradesh bundled out for 228 with left-arm medium-pacer Prithvi Raj Yarra picking up five wickets.
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This was not the first time Hanuma Vihari put on display his sheer courage and determination. During the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, it was he alongside compatriot R Ashwin who helped India fight back against Australia and eventually draw the match on the final day in Sydney.
