Vihari justifies risky selection
LONDON: The Oval is more of a farewell venue. People remember one big final act from allrounder Andrew Flintoff in his last Test of 2009, running out Ricky Ponting in an Ashes contest. On Sunday, a packed crowd cheered on Alastair Cook as England’s record run-getter played his final Test innings.
Hanuma Vihari would not have minded the mood one bit on Sunday, as the 24-year-old middle-order batsman gave a solid first impression with the bat. The assured 56 on debut from the Andhra batsman was applauded by Indian and English fans.
His selection had triggered a debate because Karun Nair, who marked his last Test against England with a triple century in 2016 and was an original member, was not picked when India chose a sixth batsman. And Vihari, with a world-leading first-class average of 59.79 coming in, got a hot reception on Saturday evening after joining skipper Virat Kohli with the visitors under pressure. He escaped two leg-before appeals. One was given, but on review showed the ball was going over. He then top-edged Ben Stokes twice, for a six and four. Kohli intervened to protect the rookie as Stokes tried to engage him in verbals, which may have led to the India skipper’s loss of concentration and dismissal by the all-rounder.
But Sunday was different. There was calmness at the crease. India were struggling coming into the day’s play, but Vihari played late and with soft hands. He played to the leg side initially, and once he gained confidence, the cover drive was out against Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes. A slog-sweep against Moeen Ali too followed.
In the end, Ali foxed him with one that drifted in and went straight. But Vihari’s partnership with Ravindra Jadeja brought India back.