England and India are currently playing out the final Test of the five-match series at The Oval. England put up a competitive score of 332 in their first innings after being 181/7 at one stage. India once again failed to finish the job as Jos Buttler scored 89 with the help of England's lower order batsmen.
India's batting with the exception of Virat Kohli has been inconsistent right through the series and it has often been a case of 'Kohli or nothing'. Kohli again looked good before he was out on 49, while the batsmen around him continued to struggle against a quality England attack.
India finished day 2 at 174/6, trailing by 158 runs and staring down at a massive first innings deficit. Debutant Hanuma Vihari and allrounder Ravindra Jadeja who is making a comeback after spending most of the year on the bench, were at the crease for the visitors.
Hanuma Vihari's selection was widely debated on social media and by cricket experts who thought Karun Nair should have played in this Test, as he has spent the entire series with the team without getting an opportunity to play. Vihari joined the team after the Trent Bridge Test as a cover for Virat Kohli, after he felt some pain in his back.
Vihari began on a nervy note yesterday and was quite lucky to survive as England missed out on a review that could have got him out for a duck. He was also given out while still on 0, but survived by using the DRS. After that the young man showed great composure and battled through the testing spells last night and in the first half hour on day 3.
Vihari scored a fine half-century on his debut before Moeen Ali ended his innings at 56. Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 41 took India to 240/7 at Lunch, still 92 behind England's first innings total.
Vihari's innings impressed the Indian cricket fraternity. We have collected some tweets for you to have a look at:
A good comeback game for @imjadeja here. Tight with the ball and bat. Also, impressed by how Hanuma Vihari applied himself at the crease. Well deserved 50. #ENGvIND
— R P Singh (@rpsingh) September 9, 2018
Very happy for Hanuma Vihari. Showed a lot of guts and determination and could be a really valuable asset in the middle order going forward. #EngvInd
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 9, 2018
Promising start by Vihari to his Test career. Not just the invaluable half century, has also shown a calm and collected temperament so badly needed in this team
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 9, 2018
Well played on debut @Hanumavihari # ind Vs End
— Naman Ojha (@namanojha35) September 9, 2018
Watching him bat, guess Vihari’s defensive game went in his favour. Team management must be given credit for the unorthodox selection. Must also give credit where it’s due. https://t.co/onkwzEgBER
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) September 9, 2018
Close call but well played on debut, Hanuma Vihari. Look forward to more.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 9, 2018
Fifty on debut. Well played, Hanuma Vihari. Hopefully first of many ???????? #engvind
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 9, 2018
Didn’t look that comfortable yesterday but today he is batting beautifully.. well done on your first 50 in test cricket many more to come god bless ya @Hanumavihari
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 9, 2018
Well played #HanumaVihari .... great application.
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) September 9, 2018