Hanuma Vihari, who is out of favor with the national selection, is quietly working on strengthening his batting in the domestic circuit. The Andhra batter is upset and saddened that he will not be part of the Test team, but he confesses he has no expectations.
Vihari claimed that everyone has ups and downs and that his job is to now score runs in the Ranji Trophy. The right-handed batter has amassed 335 runs in seven innings so far. However, Vihari still has his eyes on a Test comeback and expressed his ambition to find his way back by scoring runs.
"I do feel sad and disappointed that I am not in the Test team, but everyone goes through ups and downs, and my job now is to score runs in the Ranji Trophy. The season has gone all right, both for the team and for me. So, the ambition is to score a lot of runs and try to return to the Test team,” Vihari told ESPNCricinfo.
Vihari’s last Test for India was against England in Birmingham in July 2022. However, the batter is more famous for his brilliant knock which helped India draw the third Test in Sydney on the 2020-21 tour of Australia.
He batted with a torn hamstring and with R Ashwin, collaborated for 62 runs in 42.4 overs. Vihari had scored his 23 in 161 balls in just under four hours, while Ashwin scored 39 not out in 128 balls, in just over two hours.
Vihari may not be on the selectors' radar, as he claims to have had few conversations with the people who actually matter in the Indian team: management and selection. Except for a conversation with Head Coach Rahul Dravid.
"No one has spoken to me recently, but Rahul Dravid did speak to me after my last Test, and he told me what I can improve on, but no, I haven't been in touch with anyone since then. But I only think about improving my game and enjoying it. If I don't do that, there is no purpose left. When I go into the middle, I just want to do my best for the team and score runs. I am at a stage [in my career] where I have no expectations. I give my best each time I bat and then whatever happens will happen,” he added.
He is far away from international cricket now, and at 30, the road back can't be easy.
