"Sad and disappointed.." Hanuma Vihari breaks silence on being left out of Indian test side

Hanuma Vihari’s last test came in 2022 in Birmingham against England.

Hanuma Vihari has revealed his feelings on being no longer considered by the Indian team management for test cricket. His last test for India came in July 2022 against England in Birmingham. Since then, the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill have leaped ahead in contention and almost solidified their places in India XI.

Vihari is currently turning out for Andhra in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2023-24. He has scored 365 runs in seven innings, behind only new captain Ricky Bhui’s 550 for the team. That hass helped his First Class average stay above 50 (52.68). However, his chances of returning back into the Indian test XI are bleak.

“I do feel sad and disappointed that I am not in the Test team, but everyone goes through ups and downs, and my job now is to score runs in the Ranji Trophy. The season has gone all right, both for the team and for me. So the ambition is to score a lot of runs and try to return to the Test team,” Vihari told ESPNCricinfo.

A year-and-a-half before that Edgbaston test, in January 2021, Vihari had scored perhaps the most celebrated 23 not-out in Indian test cricketing history and played his part in securing one of the most famous draws in the game. He batted with a torn hamstring and with R Ashwin, collaborated for 62 runs in 42.4 overs. Vihari had scored his 23 in 161 balls in just under four hours, while Ashwin scored 39 not out in 128 balls, in just over two hours.

“No-one has spoken to me”- Hanuma Vihari after being dropped from side

Hanuma Vihari might not be on the selectors’ radar and said that he hasn’t had many talks with the individuals that really count in the Indian team management and selection. Except for a conversation with head coach Rahul Dravid.

“No-one has spoken to me recently, but Rahul Dravid did speak to me after my last Test, and he told me what I can improve on, but no, I haven’t been in touch with anyone since then. But I only think about improving my game and enjoying it. If I don’t do that, there is no purpose left. When I go into the middle, I just want to do my best for the team and score runs.

I am at a stage [in my career] where I have no expectations. I give my best each time I bat and then whatever happens will happen,” he added.

Hanuma Vihari is far away from international cricket now, and at 30, the road back can’t be easy.

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