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| Without Ishant Sharma, I wouldn't have got to my hundred: Hanuma Vihari | | | Agencies
Kingston, Sept 1: India's latest batting sensation Hanuma Vihari on Saturday gave Ishant Sharma credit for giving him support and helping him complete his maiden Test hundred on Day 2 of the ongoing 2nd Test against West Indies in Jamaica.
Hanuma Vihari, who fell 7 short of his maiden hundred in Antigua in the 1st Test, got to the 3-figure mark in only his 6th Test match. Vihari's 111 helped India post a mammoth 1st innings total of 416 on Saturday at Sabina Park in Kingston.
Hanuma Vihari who resumed batting on his overnight score of 42 on Saturday lost partner Rishabh Pant in the first ball of Day 2 when Jason Holder castled the India wicketkeeper-batsman. Vihari then added a 46-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja before losing the all-rounder for 16.
Just when it looked like West Indies would wrap up the Indian innings, Ishant Sharma came up with a fine knock, resisting the West Indies pacers' charge and offering solid support to Hanuma Vihari.
Hanuma Vihari was batting on 62 when Ravindra Jadeja fell but the impressive Indian middle-order batsman added 112 runs for the 8th wicket with Ishant Sharma. Ishant's support helped Hanuma Vihari take his time and complete his 1st-ever Test hundred.
"When I was batting overnight on 42, I didn't sleep really well. My thoughts were obviously about how to get a big score. I am happy that I was able to cross the 3-figure mark. Credit should go to Ishant Sharma as well. He batted brilliantly. Without him, I would not have got the hundred," Hanuma Vihari said after the 2nd day's play in Jamaica.
"We had a good partnership and we decided and discussed what the bowlers were trying to do. His [Ishant's] experience counted and it eased the pressure off me.
"I am really happy that I could get my first hundred in those conditions. It gives me a lot of satisfaction."
Meanwhile, Hanuma Vihari revealed he had lost his father when was 12 and decided at a very young age that he would dedicate his first international hundred to him. On Saturday, Vihari did so.
"Actually, my dad passed away when I was 12. Ever since I decided that when I play international cricket, I would dedicate my first hundred to my dad and today is an emotional day. I hope he is proud wherever he is," Vihari said.
Hanuma Vihari has made good use of the opportunities that have come his way. Despite having played all his Tests away from home, Vihari's temperament impressed the team management. The Andhra Pradesh batsman has made a strong case for a permanent spot in the middle-order with his run-scoring form in the ongoing series against West Indies.
Speaking about the challenges of batting at No. 6 and scoring big runs for the team, Hanuma Vihari said: "When you're batting at No. 6, your intent should always be positive. That's a position where you will be batting with one batsman and then if a wicket falls, the wicketkeeper and then the lower-order. My mindset was always positive.
Vihari added: "I walked in when Virat Kohli was batting. I could rub off the confidence which he was showing. .
"It's not been easy. All my Tests have come overseas. Playing away is a tough challenge but I am a sort of person who relishes challenges."
Following Vihari and Ishant's herocis with the bat, Jaspit Bumrah stepped up and demolished the West Indies batting unit with his second successive 5-wicket haul in Tests. Bumrah also picked up a hat-trick to put India on top in the ongoing 2nd Test match. |
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