Vihari hurt his hamstring on the final day at SCG but carried on batting.
India's injury woes in Australia continued to mount as Hanuma Vihari has reportedly been ruled out for the final Test match in Brisbane with a hamstring tear and is likely to miss the following England home Test series as well.
Vihari was taken for scans following the conclusion of the third Test in Sydney, the results of which are awaited for confirmation of the extent of the injury. Vihari bravely batted for 161 balls to remain 23* and added an unbeaten partnership of 62 runs in nearly 43 overs with Ravichandran Ashwin for the sixth wicket to draw the Test.
“The extent of Vihari’s tear can only be ascertained after the scan reports come through. But even if it’s a grade 1 tear, he is out for at least four weeks and then will need some rehabilitation time. So it’s not only Brisbane Test but also, he won’t be a part of England Tests at home,” a source told PTI on Monday (January 11).
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Vihari has not scored heavily in the opportunities given to him, but has the faith of the management which he repaid today by batting on despite being in a lot of pain and barely able to walk. He was given multiple pain-killers to get through the innings.
Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw are the two specialist batsmen left in the squad, while Wriddhiman Saha could be in contention too as Ravindra Jadeja will also miss the Brisbane Test with a fractured thumb. Rishabh Pant's 97 will ensure he retains his spot as a wicket-keeper, or even as a specialist batsman should Saha get picked.
(With PTI inputs)