Image Credit- PTI
Andhra are now second in Elite Group B, behind Mumbai,
having won three of their five Ranji Trophy matches so far. With 365 runs in
seven innings, Hanuma Vihari has made a significant contribution to that run,
second only to teammate Ricky Bhui’s 550. His first-class average has remained
above 50 (52.68) as a result, but there doesn’t seem to be much possibility of
him adding to his 16 Test appearances.
“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,” Vihari told ESPNcricinfo after Andhra
beat Bihar in Patna for their third win on the trot. “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.”
But it’s possible that the selectors are not
considering Vihari. He claims he hasn’t had many talks with the management or
selectors of the Indian squad since his previous Test match, back at Edgbaston
in July 2022, when he batted at No. 3 and scored 20 and 11 in a seven-wicket
loss. aside from a single chat with Rahul Dravid, the head coach.
“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,” Vihari said.
“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.”