Indian batsman Hanuma Vihari has recalled his heroics alongside R Ashwin at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground to help his team pull off a memorable draw in the third Test against Australia.
Vihari was going through a lean patch, but put on a strong fight in the SCG Tests despite being injured, as he faced 161 balls and formed a brilliant partnership with Ashwin to keep India’s chances alive in the four-Test series as a win in the third Test could have handed a 2-1 lead in the recent series.
He batted for about 45 overs with R Ashwin against all odds to be able to survive on a day 5 pitch and made sure that India drew the third Test and that’s the only thing in his mind and even he forgot his injury –a grade 2 tear.
Recently, the batsman has revealed that he wasn’t playing for his spot in the India cricket team but just owed his team that innings because of all the trust they showed in him and provided him the opportunity despite failing in previous matches on the Australia tour.
Vihari said on Star Sports' show Follow The Blues: “Me and Ashwin never realized what we were doing -- in terms of how big an achievement it was. He and I batted for about 45 overs against all odds.
To be able to survive on a Day 5 pitch against that bowling attack... To be able to be in the present helped me because I realized that I had an injury, and I can't run. The only thing I could do from that situation was to bat time and cut down the overs and make sure we drew that game.”
He further added, “That was the only thing on my mind, playing for my spot was never my intention. I was only batting according to the situation of the game. I somehow felt that I owed the team that innings because of the trust they have shown in me in the first couple of games, and then they gave me an opportunity in the third game as well.
So, I somehow felt in the tea break that I owe them big time and I am happy I could do it.”
Vihari also revealed that he and Ashwin communicated in “three or four languages” during their innings at the SCG. Notably, India clinched the Test series 2-1 after winning the Brisbane Test against Australia.
He signed off by saying, “Ashwin and I spoke like in three or four languages when we were playing. It was nice, it was a very unique experience to be able to bat with him. Basically, we share a good rapport, both on and off the field.
But to be able to build a partnership with him, not in terms of runs, but in terms of balls... Actually, he was batting from one end, he was facing Lyon pretty comfortably so that somehow made things easier.
I was able to face the fast bowlers with ease, so it somehow made the equation a little simpler for us and we were communicating well between the overs.”
(With ANI Inputs)
