Indian batsman Hanuma Vihari on Sunday, 25th August, revealed that he is now trying to sharpen his off-breaks to fit in as the “fifth bowler” in India’s Test line-up.
The 25-year-old, the middle-order batsman and part-time offspinner, wants to develop his bowling skills for the benefit the team, as India shouldn’t have to look for the fifth bowler when required.
His comment came after the right-hander was preferred in the playing XI over Rohit Sharma for the first Test against West Indies, as India decided to play without a frontline spinner in Antigua.
However, the Andhra Pradesh-born also grabbed the opportunity with both hands, played a crucial knock of 93 runs and also added 135 runs for the fifth wicket with Ajinkya Rahane to help India to post the target of 419 runs to win the match for the hosts.
Noteworthy, he showed the first glimpse of his bowling on his debut against England, where he claimed three wickets likes of Sir Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Sam Curran in 9.3 overs.
Vihari told reporters after the match, “It is important that my off-spin keeps developing, not only for myself but for the team as I fit into the team just because of that combination. I’m trying to keep on improving and getting better at it. So, hopefully, I will get more overs and help the team in the future.”
Lauding the Vice-captain, the batsman added: “Rahane was helping me out with the way bowlers were bowling because he batted for a long time in the first innings as well. He was helping me out with what the wicket was playing like.”
He was also delighted to contribute in team’s cause: “I came here early with India A team so I had that experience of these conditions and that came handy for me. I know how the wicket would play and I was fortunate enough to get those runs for the team.”
Vihari further revealed that Jasprit Bumrah was not satisfied with his bowling in the first innings, as Antigua match was India’s first Test match in the last six months.
Although, the pacer managed to get his rhythm back in the second innings, taking fifer to play a major role in team’s 318 runs victory in the first Test against West Indies. Hanuma signed off by saying, “Bumrah was not happy with his performance in the first inning himself and he thought he did not bowl up to his standards. He was quite fired up in the second innings. He is a champion bowler. We did not play Test in the last six months so he was struggling in the first innings to get his rhythm back,”
(With ANI Inputs)
