MSK Prasad, the former BCCI’s chairman of selectors, after India suffered a batting collapse in 1st Adelaide day-night Test wishes to see a shuffle in the middle order for the second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting December 26.
With regular skipper Virat Kohli on his way back home, the middle order is set to be altered, with KL Rahul likely to replace him in the Playing XI. Shubman Gill also is in contention to debut in place of Prithvi Shaw and may open or bat in place of KL Rahul.
MSK Prasad: Hanuma Vihari Has Sound Technique And Temperament And Can Serve The Test Team For A Long Time
However, MSK Prasad reckons India will be best suited to play KL Rahul at No. 6 and get Hanuma Vihari to bat higher up the batting order.
“Vihari has a very sound technique and temperament and he can serve this Test team for a long time. In absence of Virat, it would be a great opportunity for him and KL (Rahul) to stand up and be counted,” Prasad told PTI.
Hanuma Vihari, who made his India debut under MSK Prasad, during the Test series against England in 2018 and hit a half-century on debut, came into the Adelaide Test on the back of an unbeaten century in the pink-ball warm-up match against Australia A.
He registered scores of 16 and 8 in Adelaide where India recorded lowest ever Test score of 36. Hanuma Vihari has scored most of his Test runs at No. 6 where he amassed 528 runs averaging 44. He averages less than 11 while opening and at No. 7.
MSK Prasad Prefer Hanuma Vihari Batting At No. 4 Or No. 5 And KL Rahul At No. 6
In the past, Hanuma Vihari has been used as an opener by India in the Boxing Day Test in 2018 against Australia. MSK Prasad feels it would not be such a bad idea for the team management to push KL Rahul down to No. 6, where Hanuma Vihari bats. KL Rahul has opened in 54 innings where he amassed 1915 runs but he has also played 5 innings at No. 3 and 1 innings at No. 6 where he averages less than 20.
“I would prefer Vihari batting at No. 4 or 5 in the next few Tests and face the challenge. He is a gutsy boy and I have confidence that he will do well if given the challenge. KL can be a good No. 6 in this series,” he said.
In 10 tests, Hanuma Vihari has scored 576 runs averaging 33.88 and taken 5 wickets averaging 36 whereas KL Rahul has scored 2006 runs in 36 matches averaging 34.59.