WTC Final: ‘You have to be really certain with your shot selection in England’ – Hanuma Vihari

WTC Final: ‘You have to be really certain with your shot selection in England’ – Hanuma Vihari

Hanuma Vihari

India’s middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari pointed out that the English surface will turn out to be one of the most important factors during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final. He asserted that England’s weather will pose the biggest threat in front of the Virat Kohli-led side during their tour of the UK.

Team India is scheduled to lock horns with New Zealand from June 18 to June 22 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, England. However, Vihari’s selection in the playing XI isn’t certain yet as there’s no update on India’s combination for the WTC final.  

“Definitely, that’s the challenge here. The overhead conditions play a part as well because when it is sunny, it gets a bit easier to beat, but when it is overcast, the ball moves all day. That was the challenge I faced early on in this season of county cricket — because it was quite cold and the ball was doing a lot of the wicket,” he told ESPNcricinfo.

Vihari talks about his County Cricket experience in England 

Hanuma Vihari
Hanuma Vihari

The Andhra cricketer recently made his debut in the English County while playing for Warwickshire. However, Vihari couldn’t produce an impressive performance on his debut as he got out for a 23-ball duck against Nottinghamshire. 

Hanuma Vihari pointed out that one needs to be really certain with his shot selection while batting in England. The 27-year-old’s numbers got better as he scored 30 and 50 runs respectively in the following match against defending champions, Essex.

“I thought it was full enough for me to drive, but again, in England, you have to be really certain with your shot selection. In India, you can get away with a push, or even if it is not there to drive, you can still get away driving on the up. If I were to play that ball a second time, I would try to play as late as possible.

“Having said that, it was just my first innings in county cricket. I learned that I should play much later. In the second match, against Essex, I got 30 and 50. Essex are the defending champions and have a decent bowling attack with Peter Siddle and Simon Harmer. I thought I batted well, but I should have converted it into a bigger score,” Hanuma Vihari signed off.

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