India’s middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari is ready to open the innings if it will be the need of the hour. Vihari is in fine form and scored a fine knock of 101 runs in the ongoing warm-up match against New Zealand XI. The right-hander faced 182 balls and struck 10 fours and three maximums in his knock. The Andhra skipper had also opened the innings on the tour of Australia in 2018-19.
Vihari had scored only eight runs in the first innings of the third Test at Melbourne and had faced 66 balls to help take out the shine of the new ball. Meanwhile, Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal could not grab the opportunities in the three-match ODI series.
Vihari has a solid technique.
Furthermore, Shaw and Agarwal registered a duck and one run respectively in the warm-up match. Consequently, Vihari is ready to put his hand up for opening the innings against New Zealand. Vihari stated that it is essential to have a proper gameplan to play on New Zealand pitches.
“In international level, you have to be thinking on your feet. And I was quick enough to adjust my games according to the conditions so whenever I bat next, New Zealand or Australia, wherever it is, it is up to me what I want to do with my game and how quickly I adjust and I’m happy that I could do it.”
Meanwhile, Vihari could only play one Test match in India’s home season due to the team combination as India played five bowlers. Vihari added that he was able to comprehend the team combination.
Vihari could only play one Test in India’s home season.
“Sometimes you have to understand the team combination as well,” Vihari explained. “You can’t get disheartened by it. I understood as well when you are playing at home, we play 5 bowlers. It’s obvious that one batter has to miss out. So I took it in my stride. And I thought when I bat next for my team, I’ll just go out there and follow my process and not try too much or not try to prove anyone but do my basics right and stick to my processes.”
On the other hand, Vihari expects New Zealand pack leader Neil Wagner to continue with his short pitch stuff. Wagner was right on the money in the series against Australia and India can expect a barrage of short deliveries from the southpaw pacer.
“We experienced that against New Zealand A as well. When the wicket flattens out, they try to experiment with the short balls and I’m sure even Neil Wagner will come up with the same ploy., We’ve seen it before in the Australian series and the home series for them. We are prepared for it. We’ve got that good experience in India A as well. They did come up with short balls when we played against New Zealand A. Today as well they bowled quite a number of short balls. It’s good exposure for us,” Vihari said.
The first Test match between India and New Zealand will take place from 21st February at Wellington.