Hanuma Vihari takes inspiration from Ajinkya Rahane to make Team India comeback

Despite giving continuous gutsy performances, lower middle order batsman Hanuma Vihari was dropped from the Indian team last year. However, the Team India discard is drawing inspiration from veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane to make a comeback into the national team.

Vihari has been out of the Indian team since appearing against England at Birmingham in last July.

Though getting dropped from the Indian side did affect Vihari’s mindset, he is determined that he still has a lot to contribute to the Indian team.

“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,” said Vihari.

“You will want to come back until you retire. Even though I am 29, I still have it in me. You have seen Ajinkya Rahane make a comeback at 35. I feel I still have a long way to go and have a lot to contribute to the Indian side especially in Test cricket,” he added.

Vihari was one of the heroes in the Indian team during India’s famous Test series victory in Australia in 2021. 

The ongoing Duleep Trophy gives Vihari a perfect platform to draw the attention of the selectors with his scintillating performances. The 29-year-old is leading the South Zone against North Zone in the semifinal.

Notably, based on his brilliant performances in the domestic cricket and Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Rahane made his comeback to the Indian Test team after 18 month in the marquee World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia last month. He has also been appointed as the vice-captain of the team for the West Indies tour.