In an interview after the second day’s play of India’s second Test match against West Indies, Hanuma Vihari, had only words of praise to describe Ishant Sharma after the duo’s heroics on Day 2. It was the partnership between Hanuma Vihari and Ishant Sharma which ensured that India reached 416.
The duo added 112 runs for the eight-wicket to help India reach the total. While Vihari reached a maiden hundred in the process, Ishant Sharma also reached a maiden half-century. Hanuma Vihari dedicated his century to his late father.
“He looked more like a batsman than me the way he was going,” Vihari told reporters after the day’s play.
“We discussed what the bowlers were trying to do and his experience counted a lot there. When you are batting at no 6 the intent has to be positive. At that position, you will be batting with a batsman and then a wicket falls and you will be with the wicketkeeper or the lower order.
“When I went in, Virat (Kohli) was batting beautifully. The confidence rubbed off and I started very well. Today was very different, it was not free-flowing. That’s how it is in Test cricket and as I said a lot of credit goes to Ishant,” he said.
Vihari confessed that the was not able to sleep properly after Day 1 of the Test match as he was thinking about how to convert his start into a big total. He looked to be calm and patient in the first session on Saturday.
“When I was batting overnight on 42, I didn’t sleep very well. My thoughts were on how to get a big score and I am happy that I crossed that three-figure mark. I’m really happy to get a hundred in those conditions,” he said.
“I knew they would come hard in the first session, that is the best way to get us out early. They did get an early wicket but I just wanted to bat patiently, wait for the balls which were in my area. I was batting at 82 during Lunch. I was patient, they were bowling really well. We scored 400 plus but that doesn’t show the way they bowled. It was challenging conditions and I really relished it,” he added.
Vihari then became emotional as he dedicated his century to his father. He said, “My dad passed away when I was 12 and ever since I had decided that when I play international cricket I want to dedicate my first 100 to him. Today is a very emotional day and I hope he is proud wherever he is.”
“They (tail-enders) all work really hard in the nets. The way Ishant batted in this series shows the character of this team. In the last game as well, Ishant and (Ravindra) Jadeja had a crucial partnership. The lower order always contributes in good teams and we are really happy we achieved it,” he went on to add.
Hanuma Vihari and Ishant Sharma’s heroics efforts were somewhat overshadowed by Jasprit Bumrah who took a hat-trick later in the day to reduce 87/7.
“He is a top bowler. Any opposition would say that they fear facing Bumrah. We all recognise it and really enjoy watching him bowl. We are really happy that he is in our team rather than the opposition. He has got a long career ahead and I wish he takes a lot more hat-tricks,” Vihari concluded.