Rahul Dravid Explains Reason Behind Hanuma Vihari And Shreyas Iyer Wait To Bag Regular Test Spots

Jan 9, 2022 at 4:19 PM

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Rahul Dravid Explains Reason Behind Hanuma Vihari And Shreyas Iyer Wait To Bag Regular Test Spots

Rahul Dravid has explained why rising star Shreyas Iyer and middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari will have to wait for receiving regular chances in the longest format of the game. Indian batters Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer are waiting in the wings at a time when senior batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have embraced a rough patch in the second edition of the ICC World Test Championship.

The duo was in the fray to feature in the Indian playing XI against South Africa after skipper Virat Kohli was ruled out of the 2nd Test against hosts South Africa. While Shreyas Iyer missed out due to a stomach bug, all-rounder Hanuma Vihari made his return to the Test side in the penultimate clash of the three-match series between India and South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.

Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer. (Photo Source: Getty Images and BCCI)
Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer. (Photo Source: Getty Images and BCCI)

Rahul Dravid Praises Hanuma Vihari And Shreyas Iyer

Making a case for himself in the 2nd Test match against the Proteas, Hanuma Vihari played a solid knock of 40 although his unbeaten knock went in vain as the Dean Elgar-led side defeated India in the low-scoring contest. Speaking at a press conference after India’s defeat at the hands of South Africa in the 2nd Test, head coach Rahul Dravid congratulated Hanuma Vihari for leading the fightback for the hosts in the second innings.

Rahul Dravid Photo Credit: PTI
Rahul Dravid Photo Credit: PTI

The Indian head coach then lauded Shreyas Iyer, who is yet to play for India in the ongoing three-match Test series. Shreyas Iyer had earlier made an impressive Test debut for India by slamming a century and a gritty half-century in the bilateral series against New Zealand.

“Shreyas (Iyer) obviously done that two or three Test matches ago and he has obviously done that and they have just got to take heart from the fact that whenever they are getting opportunities, they are doing well and hopefully their time would come,” Dravid said. 

Cheteshwar Pujara scored 53 runs off 86 deliveries and stitched together a 111-run partnership for the third wicket with Ajinkya Rahane. It was also Cheteshwar Pujara’s fastest Test fifty away from home. Ajinkya Rahane played a fluent knock of 58 runs off 78 balls but India fans expect more from them.

Hanuma Vihari did his bit in the second innings with an unbeaten 40 in setting India’s target of 240 for the Proteas and Rahul Dravid praised him although if Virat Kohli comes back, it could mean that Hanuma Vihari could return to the bench. Making his Test debut in 2018, Hanuma Vihari has played 13 matches in the format, 12 overseas, and scored 684 runs at an average of 34.2 with one hundred and four fifties.

Rahul Dravid: New Indian Batsmen Have To Wait For Their Time To Cement Spots In Test Squad

Citing examples of Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane, coach Rahul Dravid opined that the younger crop of the Indian Test side will have to wait for regular chances till seniors are around.

“If you look at some of our guys now senior players and being sort of considered senior players, they have also had to wait for their time and also have had to score a lot of runs at the start of their careers,” Dravid said.  

Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo: Twitter)
Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo: Twitter)

After South Africa registered their first Test win over India at the Wanderers Stadium, Team India will play the series decider on Tuesday. The third and final Test played will be played at Newlands, Cape Town.

“So it happens (wait) as its nature of the sport. We can take a lot of heart from the manner Vihari batted in this game and that should give him a lot of confidence,” he added.

Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has explained why Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer will have to wait for regular chances in Test cricket amid the South Africa series as their more experienced competitors had also waited for their turn to cement places in the Indian Test squad.

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