Vihari’s knock vindicates Kohli’s 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 against India.
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 and ended with promise it will win over more neutrals.
His selection had triggered a big 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 from 63 games with 5142 plus runs 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 later.
But Sunday was different. There was calmness at the crease. Vihari had played in England before — two seasons in the Essex first-division league — and hit a few centuries. He was part of the India A squad’s tour of England this summer under Rahul Dravid’s mentorship and did well. His last first-class knock was a 148 against South Africa A at Alur on August 10, before the national call-up.
But a debut in England can be life-changing, which was the case with Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid after they announced their arrival in the 1996 Lord’s Test. 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, to be caught behind. But Vihari’s partnership with Ravindra Jadeja brought India back into the match. There were no signs of nerves once he got set and it needed a very good delivery to get him.
COA MAY DISCUSS ENG TOUR WITH SHASTRI
NEW DELHI: The Committee of Administrators (COA) in all likelihood will have a discussion with chief coach Ravi Shastri on Indian team’s below par show in England.
India lost the ODI as well as Test series and the COA is expected to assess the team’s performance after the end of the fifth Test.
‘’There is a COA meeting in Mumbai on September 11. While the main discussion will be on implementation of new constitution, the performance of England series will certainly come up for discussion,’’ a senior BCCI official told PTI on Sunday.
‘’It will be Coa’s call whether they want to meet Ravi Shastri in person or seek his feedback via written report. At this point in time, Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) is non functional. Till elections are held, it’s COA which will be in charge, so it’s only imperative that they will assess the performance’’ he added. If a meeting happens, then chairman of selectors MSK Prasad’s opinion will also be sought.