Debutant Hanuma Vihari said on Sunday he had called former Indian great Rahul Dravid a day before his Test debut. Vihari explained how talking to Rahul Dravid put his mind at ease and helped him get the maiden fifty that eventually rescued India from a difficult situation against England.
Hanuma Vihari (56) scored his maiden Test fifty and put up a 77-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja (86 not out) to help India post 292 in their first innings.
“I called him the day before I made my debut. He spoke to me for a couple of minutes and I thought it eased my nerves a little bit. He is a legend of the game; and his inputs especially in the batting department (helped me),” Hanuma Vihari said.
England finished the day with a lead of 154 runs. The home team has an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
“He just told me that ‘you have the skill set; you have the mind set and the temperament, just go out there and enjoy yourself’…I would like to give him a lot of credit because my journey with India A was very important for me to come here, his inputs made me a better player,” Vihari added.
Vihari said he was nervous while facing James Anderson and Stuart Broad in his maiden innings.
“Initially I felt the pressure to be honest…But once I got myself in, it eased my nerves and it was an important partnership between Jadeja and me,” he said.
“They are world-class bowlers. They have 990-odd wickets between them. Going out to bat, I just wanted to be positive in my intent. Especially when Virat is there, you just have to be there with him, rotate the strike and try to build a partnership,” Vihari further said.
-With PTI inputs.