Eyeing for better international career, Vihari aims to make best use of India A call up to face Caribbeans

Do you remember three consecutive centuries in the Irani Cup against Vidarbha last year? Well, all three tons were hammered by Andhra all-rounder Hanuma Vihari. When it comes to the domestic circuit, Vihari is a household name. There have a been a lot of records to his name when he played for India A and Andhra. The heroics of Vihari have always given the edge to the India A team. Being one of the experienced for the India A squad, Vihari is a goldust for the team.

The selection committee selected India A players for Sri Lanka A tour of India A commencing May 25. Also, the national board has scrutinized and selected 15-man squads for India A tour of West Indies A for 5 one-dayers and 3 multi-day series which will begin 11 July. <There will be no prizes given> if one can guess, Vihari was included in the India A for West Indies A tour. His List A figures for India A are astounding as he stands tall with an average of 59.28 in 7 innings, he amassed 415 runs laced with 1 century and 2 fifties. For the First Class India A team, his numbers are good enough to take note. In 12 innings, he piled up 485 runs averaging 48.50 comprising 1 century and 4 fifties.

Numbers to remember

India A first class: 12 inns, 485 runs, 148 best, 48.50 average, 1 century 4 fifties.

India A List A: 7 inns, 415 runs, 147 best, 59.28 average, 1 century 2 fifties.

For the first time in Caribbean land

Having played 19 innings for India A unit, Vihari never played in the Caribbean conditions. Interestingly, his highest runs in the List A matches came against West Indies A in 2018 during a Tri-Series in England. “I am looking forward to giving my best in the upcoming tournament albeit playing in the Caribbean conditions for the first time. Though the bowlers have an edge on the Caribbean wickets, I will prepare myself for counter-attack the Windies A bowlers,” said Vihari in a telephonic conversation with Crictracker.

About the challenges the team might face in West Indies, the batting all-rounder said, “It would be a herculean task to face the Windies A bowlers but we will make sure to fight tooth and nail in the Caribbean condition to clinch the series. This is definitely a special opportunity I got to grab eyeballs. I will make sure this will be wake up call to my international career. Also, the addition of youngsters will definitely be a boon to the team, who were outstanding in the recently concluded IPL.”

Morale boosting flashback

One of the most experienced domestic players and a regular in India A dressing room, who have also travelled with Team India in the overseas series.

Cut to September 2018, Vihari got his first call up for the international match when India toured Ireland and England. Despite having much experience with the bat in the domestic circuit, the all-rounder didn’t shy way to give a big boost to the bowling department. In the second innings, he picked up three-wicket haul who was tied highest along with Ravindra Jadeja. Also with the bat, he played a second fiddle by scoring 56 in the first innings in the losing cause though.

Recently in the month of February, the 25-year-old grabbed a jackpot chance again to travel Australia with the senior men. Despite not having notable innings Down Under, it was definitely a morale booster reckons batting all-rounder.

When asked about his experience Down Under, the Andhra skipper said, “The experience was tremendous, I have gained a lot of confidence after travelling with the experienced players like Kohli & Co. I have always been excited to play in the Aussie conditions and to my surprise, my dream came true this February.”

Looking forward to more opportunities in IPL

Also, Vihari is no new name in the Indian Premier League charts as his debut season came in 2013 for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The batting all-rounder was the first player in this IPL Auction to go under the hammer. The all-new looking Delhi Capitals bought him for whopping Rs 2 crores.

He was played by Capitals only in the two matches in which he couldn’t make much difference for the team. He played against KKR and KXIP where he scored 2 runs in both the matches. “Indian Premier League is definitely a great platform to showcase skills and make it big in the career. But to be honest this season, I didn’t get opportunities at the right time to prove my prowess. I don’t rue for the dismal performances because I know my potential and looking forward to making it big in the next season. But before that, I am pretty much focused about this domestic season and want to cement my place in the India A team,” he concluded.

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