Grind of domestic cricket, Dravid’s inputs readied me for Tests: Vihari

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has inspired cricketers from the hinterland, but players from smaller towns or teams still feel they have a mountain to climb to get into the national team. Test debutant Hanuma Vihari is the latest in that list.

A consistent scorer at the domestic level and for India A, the Andhra batsman was picked for two Tests after the debut of wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who had a rough time as he chased his cricketing dream.

Vihari, 24, made an impression as he scored 56 and raised a partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (86 no) to help India fight back on Day 3 of The Oval Test. His hunger for success and confidence came through in his first media interaction.

Asked if he wanted to play IPL – he got a chance for only one season – he opened up. “Not playing IPL is definitely not an option for me. If I get picked, I will play. But my only route coming into the Indian team is grinding through the domestic circuit. I have to score big runs to be recognised,” he said on Sunday.

“Also, I’m coming from Andhra. People don’t recognise those states as much as other states. So in domestic cricket, I try to get big scores, I try to bat patiently. When you play for a smaller state, if you are the main batsman, you have to take a lot of responsibility.

“You face a lot of tough situations. So if you look at this match -- I had a lot of experience. When I played for India A too, I faced a lot of tough situations. I got used to those situations and I could handle them comfortably today (Sunday).”

His first-class average of almost 60 is the best among current players worldwide. Vihari’s assured innings showed he belonged at the highest level.

LONDON:

NERVOUS START

He admitted to nerves on being informed he would play. A phone call to India A coach Rahul Dravid helped ease the jitters. Skipper Virat Kohli then guided him through the initial tough phase of batting on Saturday.

“Initially, I felt the pressure to be honest, cloudy conditions and Stuart Broad and (James) Anderson bowling at you. Once I got in, it eased nerves and it was an important partnership between Jadeja and me.”