Sanjay Bangar has picked Hanuma Vihari ahead of Shreyas Iyer in the India XI for the upcoming three-match Test series in South Africa, starting on December 26 in Centurion.
While Vihari was left out of India's squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand at home and sent to South Africa with India A side and he impressed one and all.
Shreyas Iyer was handed a Test debut in Kanpur and he made an instant impact, hitting a century and fifty in his debut against the Kiwis.
Bangar said on Star Sports show Game Plan: “If the choice has to be between Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari, I would tilt towards Hanuma Vihari because of the kind of service he has done. He deserves that chance to bat ahead of Shreyas Iyer in an overseas Test match.”
Explaining the reason behind picking Vihari ahead of Iyer, he said: “Look at Hanuma Vihari. He is somebody who has played the hard yards, who has got a hundred in West Indies; he saved a Test match for you in Sydney. Whenever he was asked to open the innings, he did that. He played on a single leg to save a Test match and he got a hundred.”
However, the former cricketer has pointed that Iyer will be high on confidence after his exploits in his Test debut against New Zealand in Kanpur.
He signed off by saying, “I think Shreyas at the moment is high on confidence. If the thinking of the team management is that young careers have to begin in Indian conditions, so there is confidence for Shreyas Iyer.”
Notably, the three-match Test series against South Africa will start from December 26 in Centurion. India and South Africa will also be playing three ODIs from January 19.
