West Indies vs India: Hanuma Vihari dedicates his maiden Test century to his late father

After a truckload of runs at the domestic circuit, Hanuma Vihari made his international debut versus England last year in September. Following a year of grill and grind, the Andhra Pradesh-born batsman has gotten his maiden international ton. The 25-year-old scored 111 runs off 225 balls with 16 fours in India’s first innings of the second Test versus the Windies at the Sabina Park.

Vihari’s masterclass helped the visiting team post 416 on the board. Jason Holder, who got a five-wicket haul, accounted for his wicket. He was over the moon after the knock and he dedicated his first ton, donning the national jersey, to his father, who passed away when he was only 12 years old.

I hope he’s proud, says Vihari

“Really happy that I was able to get my first ton. It was challenging and I am really happy. My dad passed away when I was 12. So, I had decided when I get my first international century, I want to dedicate it to him. Today is an emotional day and I hope he’s proud,” Vihari was quoted as saying after the end of the first day’s play in Jamaica.

Vihari also credited Ishant Sharma for his century. He said that the tall and lanky cricketer looked a better batsman than him. The duo shared a priceless stand of 112 runs. Sharma scored 57 with seven fours and it was only his second half-century in first-class cricket. Vihari stated that Ishant’s experience helped even as they were focussing on the bowlers’ plan of actions.

“Happy that I got a century and credit should go to Ishant. He looked more like a batsman today than me. The way he was going, we kept discussing what the bowler was doing, and his experience really helped,” the talented batsman added.

The Indian batsmen’s decent show was backed up by the bowlers, especially Jasprit Bumrah, who picked up a six-wicket haul. Bumrah also became the third Indian bowler after Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan to notch a hat-trick in Test cricket. At the end of Day two, the hosts finished at 87 for seven and are still trailing by 329 runs with three wickets remaining in the first innings.

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