Indian middle-order batter Hanuma Vihari is hoping to make a comeback into the Indian side taking inspiration from the Indian veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane, who made his way into the Indian team following a brilliant domestic and IPL season.
Vihari is no longer a part of the Indian Test squad, but he was a regular in the team since 2019, as he performed exceptionally well in the domestic circuit to earn his spot in the Indian team. The 29-year-old has been dealing with a few injuries lately and had a disappointing domestic season for Andhra with the bat.
Speaking to Espncricinfo, Hanuma Vihari believes that he has done well for the team in the given opportunity and said that he is trying to get better in the upcoming season and reckons that he can make a comeback into the Indian side with his age on his side, Vihari takes inspiration from the Mumbai batter Rahane to make it into the Indian team.
“I thought whenever I got a chance, I did my best. Maybe my best was not good enough for the Indian team. But again, I will try to keep getting better. That’s all you can do as a sportsman,” he added.
“Hope is always there until you retire that you can come back. I’m still 29 and have a lot of time to go. I’ve seen Ajinkya Rahane make a comeback at 35. I still feel I can contribute to the Indian side in the Test format, especially if I can get some runs in the domestic season,” Hanuma Vihari said.
The Indian veteran will aim to make a step closer to the Indian Test squad by performing well in the upcoming Duleep Trophy for South Zone and Andhra in the domestic season and will be keen to make it into the Indian team for the next WTC Cycle.
I Have Grown As A White-ball Player As Well, But Many Don’t Believe That… – Hanuma Vihari
Hanuma Vihari was not happy with limiting himself as a test cricketer, as he had done well in the limited format of the game. The 29-year-old was not in India’s plans for white-ball cricket since his debut in International Cricket, as he was looked at as a red-ball cricketer.
“Everyone says ‘he’s a Test player’, they brand me as a Test player. I don’t think it’s fair. I have grown as a white-ball player as well, but many don’t believe that because they brand you as a certain player, only red-ball or white-ball,” Hanuma Vihari added.
A good domestic season for Andhra would help the veteran to make a comeback into the Indian side, as a team will look for middle orders batters with many Indian stalwarts being on the wrong side of their 30s.