India’s Hanuma Vihari dedicated his maiden Test ton to his late father, while also crediting bowler Ishant Sharma for holding fort at the other end during their partnership in the second Test against the West Indies.
“My dad passed away when I was 12 so ever since, I have decided that when I play international cricket I want to dedicate my first hundred to him,” Vihari said after his career-best 111.
REPORT| Bumrah rocks Windies with hat-trick and six wickets as India takes control again
Emotional day
The 25-year-old added, “Today is an emotional day and I hope he is proud wherever he is and I’m really happy that I achieved [sic] that.”
Together with Ishant (57 off 80 balls), who scored his maiden fifty, Vihari shared 112 runs off 28.3 overs for the eighth wicket to frustrate the West Indies.
“Happy that I got a century and credit should go to Ishant. He looked more like a batsman today than me. The way he was going, we kept discussing what the bowler was doing and his experience helped.”
Crucial stand
Vihari is gradually emerging as a reliable man in crisis situations in Test cricket.
“When I was batting overnight on 42, I did not sleep well as my thoughts were running on how to get a big score today. I’m really happy that I could get my first hundred, especially in those conditions,” Vihari said.
After Ishant’s dismissal, India’s innings folded for 416, with Holder dismissing Vihari for his fifth wicket of the innings.
“At lunch, I was on 84, and it took me a while to get to a hundred. We have to give credit to the bowlers as well,” Vihari said.
“I knew they would come hard in the first session because that’s their best chance to get us out early. They did get a wicket early with Rishabh getting out on the first ball.
“I just wanted to bat patiently and wait for the balls which are in my area.”
READ| Jasprit Bumrah becomes third Indian to take Test hat-trick
Brilliant bowling
He praised pacer Jasprit Bumrah for becoming only the third Indian to claim a Test hat-trick; an effort that left the West Indies tottering at 87 for seven in its first innings.
“We bowled brilliantly, to be honest. The way Bumrah and all the other bowlers bowled, we stuck to our guns.
“Tomorrow we don’t know what the game plan is. So, the first thing will be to get them out as soon as possible. Then the management will decide whether we bat or bowl,” Vihari said.
Comments
SHARE