Hanuma Vihari, one of the purest batters in Test cricket for India, is looking at Ajinkya Rahane for motivation as he attempts to return to the national side after being benched a year ago. Since playing against England in Birmingham in July of last year, Vihari has been absent from the Indian team.
Vihari, a hero during India’s epic Test series victory in Australia in 2021, had a respectable Ranji Trophy season in which he was getting numerous opportunities but failed to turn them into significant ones. Vihari, 29, will get the best opportunity to showcase his abilities when he leads South Zone versus North Zone during the semifinal of the current Duleep Trophy on Wednesday.
You’ve seen Ajinkya Rahane make a comeback at 35: Hanuma Vihari
Even if being pulled from the Indian team had an impact on Vihari’s perspective, he is adamant that he can still make a significant contribution to the team. He said, “Once you are dropped or left aside from the Indian team, it is tough to make a comeback. It affects your mindset. I went through that last season.”
Rahane, who had been away from the Indian Test team for 18 months, made his comeback in the World Test Championship final versus Australia last month. He was the only player to stand out for the team in a losing effort. He added by saying that, “You will want to come back until you retire. Even though I’m 29, I still have it in me. You’ve seen Ajinkya Rahane make a comeback at 35,” he said. “I feel I still have a long way to go and have a lot to contribute to the Indian side, especially in Test cricket.”
The batter from Hyderabad claimed that in order to push open the door of the Indian team once more, he would have to battle it out during the domestic season. He said, “This season, I want to keep everything aside and focus on my batting and get better at my skills. Whenever I got a chance, I thought I did well. Maybe my best was not good enough for the Indian team. I’ll try to keep getting better.”
Fans react to Hanuma Vihari drawing inspiration from Ajinkya Rahane: –
Hanuma Vihari said, "Ajinkya Rahane made a comeback at 35 which is a good sign. This proves that if the player has quality, there is always time to make a comeback. I am only 29, so I have a lot of time". (Sportstar). pic.twitter.com/4UdPsrCAxu
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 5, 2023
Feeling sad for vihari, his partnership with Ashwin in BGT was the reason why I started watching test matches.
— blue (@blue112873) July 5, 2023
Rahane is extremely lucky to be made VC with just 1 match upon comeback with lots of luck in that match, with the talent on bench I dont see how Rahane was made VC
— Muhammad Hamza (@MHamza14210) July 5, 2023
Rahane came back at 35 because he played for 10 years continuously before
— HulkA (@Sarcasmicrish) July 5, 2023
Vihari got chance when India need player, when he stayed at Sydney everyone appreciates him, but after when Dravid came in , he ruled out from team India and no one asked question…. This is Indian cricket…. ??
— ? (@shaheenfan88) July 5, 2023
Why suddenly Hanuma vihari sidelined from test cricket.
— Asad (@sameerahmad0814) July 5, 2023
You were our x-factor in BGT 2021. Please work hard & make a comeback. I want to see you soon ??? @Hanumavihari
— Abhishek Kumar Yadav (@nerdy__abhi__) July 5, 2023
Still can't understand why he was left out initially.
Barely got any games after aus tour.— Himanshu (@DeadpanHj) July 5, 2023
Hanuma forgets that he doesn't play in IPL
— Arup Paul (@ArupPau08309862) July 5, 2023
Only reaching 35 is not enough. You gotta perform in IPL too??
— Shahnad Chaudhary (@Sameer2490) July 5, 2023
We all know Rahane made comeback due to IpL
— Abhinav (@whyabhinav) July 5, 2023
But why was he left out only he was injured
— Abhishek (@Abhi_Lifegoal) July 5, 2023
