It was another chilly morning in Delhi and the capital city was wrapped in a thick blanket of fog. The temperature level touched around four degrees and the slight breeze around the Arun Jaitley Stadium made it more uncomfortable. The home side delayed their practice for the later afternoon session but the visitors from Andhra were in a hurry.
The team is playing in very different conditions from home and is training hard for the Ranji Trophy tie starting on Tuesday. Beanies and extra layers were on and some batsmen even faced throw downs with ear plugs. Small cups of tea between drills kept him nice and warm but conditions are expected to ease slightly over the next few days.
Sporting a thick sweater, skipper Hanuma Vihari was handed a tough ball to bowl a few in the nets and the right-handed batsman, who bowls off-spin, rotated his arm for 20-25 minutes before returning to tea. And then some slip and fall near the main square.
England, New Zealand, Australia and Vihari has already played in some of the most challenging conditions in his 16-Test stint with the Indian team and is now going through a domestic crisis after being sidelined from the Test set-up. He last played for India in the rescheduled fifth Test against England in July 2022 and has since played for Andhra in the domestic circuit. They have won two and lost two of their last four outings in Ranji Trophy and the skipper is enjoying the new challenge of returning to home fixtures.
“It’s going well, the grind is always difficult. Coming back to domestic cricket you face different challenges, first the wicket and then the challenge of the conditions. The weather in Delhi is quite different from usual, but domestic cricket These are the challenges you face in IPL. I’m really looking forward to what comes in the next three matches.”
Since making his debut in 2018 vs England, Vihari has done it all for the Indian side. He opened, batted at number three, batted in the middle order, was injured once, and bowled occasionally. The handsome right-handed batsman seems to enjoy facing such challenges and is always up for them.
“Those are the challenges you love to take on. Once you play a game, you have to face various challenges. As a player, it is up to you whether you want to face the challenge or run away from it. I like to face them head on and give my best in those situations. Every day is a different lesson in the game. Even grinding away in Ranji Trophy is not an experience I am not used to, but being away from the Indian team and fighting to make a comeback is a different challenge. I am always up for challenges.
famous win down under
In Australia, in regular absence, Vihari was one of the architects of famous series victories. He opened the batting with R Ashwin to secure a famous draw at the SCG in January 2021. Then scoring was not the need of the hour and the pair, while not 100%, batted for over 40 overs to disappoint. Australian.
“It is a very special feeling to be a part of those two series (2018-19 and 2020-21) in Australia when we won back to back. And I played most of the games there. To contribute to the team’s success and win the series is special. Not many teams have achieved this. Being a part of the winning teams in those series is a very special moment in my career so far and I hope to keep winning many more series for India,” says Vihari.
‘One day at a time’
The same opposition team is now set to tour India next month for the all-important Border Gavaskar Trophy. In Vihari’s absence, Shreyas Iyer has stamped his authority in the format and Cheteshwar Pujara is coming back as Cheteshwar Pujara. Has he eyed a comeback during that series, perhaps with a couple of hundreds in the last three Ranji fixtures?
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I just want to enjoy my cricket and if a hundred comes, it comes. And if I get selected, I get selected. Otherwise I just want to improve my game.” Do as I said and take it one day at a time,” says Vihari.
Vihari pointed out that he had had talks with the management while he was away from the team, but at the moment he is just focusing on controlling the controllable.
“To be fair there has been communication. I am really focusing on domestic cricket and improving my game which is in my control. I just want to improve my game and batting. I will keep improving my game and what is written will happen,” says Vihari.
While Andhra are still pressing for that knockout berth, Vihari’s individual returns have been nowhere close to what they usually are. In 8 innings, the right-handed batsman has scored only 208 runs so far this season. The seasoned campaigner, however, isn’t losing sleep over not converting the start he’s getting and says “it’s only a matter of time” before the big one arrives.
He said, ‘If you see the score, there has been low scoring in domestic matches. The wickets have been very challenging. It’s my small contribution. I would like to play big innings; Maybe tomorrow I can turn that start into a big start. I’m feeling good with my batting, how I’m going about it and I know it’s just a matter of time. I have played for long enough to understand that this phase too shall pass,” says Vihari.
‘Kohli a great leader’
Having made his debut under him, Vihari is grateful to former India skipper Virat Kohli for all he has given him both on and off the field. Kohli spoke highly of Vihari when the right-handed batsman had agreed to open the batting for India during the MCG Test vs Australia. Yes, the runs – eight – weren’t the greatest, but Vihari fought back for 66 balls against a hostile attack.
“I made my debut when he was the captain. I am very thankful to him for the way he supported me on and off the field. He was always there whenever I needed him. He is not only a great player but also a great leader. I always had the confidence and trust that he was always there for me whenever I needed him,” says Vihari.
‘Test match player’
Over the years, Vihari has been branded “a Test match player” for his stupendous performances in the domestic circuit and daddy numbers across formats. The 29-year-old is now working hard on the white-ball game as well and says that the figures and the game are only getting better in both T20s and List A. Is it a conscious effort?
“It’s not something I’m doing cautiously. I’ve always felt I have the game to play limited-overs cricket. I’ve been branded as a Test match player because of my figures in Ranji Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and better than List A. Maybe that’s the reason. But if you see the figures are getting better in ODIs and T20s. I am sure I will improve my game further in limited overs cricket and make a mark. ‘
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