Team India’s Test expert Hanuma Vihari has been turned down by Indian Premier League franchises, but he is set to train for the forthcoming six-Test season in the United Kingdom by playing for English county side Warwickshire. The right-handed middle-order batsman has arrived in the United Kingdom and will play at least three games for the Birmingham-based county side this season. “Vihari will play for Warwickshire in the English county side this season. He was going to play a few games. He is currently in England “On Tuesday, a senior BCCI official confirmed the news to PTI.
The statement is yet to be made on the Warwickshire county’s official website, but according to BCCI authorities, the modalities are being sorted out.
“The contract is currently being drafted. He’ll be in at least three games. We’re trying to find out whether there’s any way of getting a couple more games in “a source said.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Vihari is replacing South African batsman Pieter Malan, who is currently facing visa issues as a result of the UK authorities’ designation of South Africa as a “red zone” country in the global COVID-19 scenario.
Vihari last played in the IPL in 2019 for the Delhi Capitals, and despite being billed as a Test expert, he has remained unsold in subsequent auctions.
In 12 Tests for India, the 27-year-old has scored 624 runs at an average of 32 plus. He’s up at a hundred and forty-four and a half years.
Vihari’s last appearance for India was in the Sydney Test against Australia, where his epic four-hour vigil (23 not out) alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, despite a broken hamstring, saved the game for the visitors.
After undergoing extensive rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, he returned to play for Andhra Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring just one half-century and struggling to cross double digits in the following five games.
“With the domestic season being cut short this year and Vihari being a member of the Test squad, he wants match practise.”
“All of his other Test teammates, including Cheteshwar, are playing in the IPL” (Pujara). “They’ll be fit and match-ready even though it’s white ball football,” the source said.
“However, before the England tour, we need to make sure Vihari gets some game time. It’s not just one World Test Championship final, but a complete five-Test series after that. We need him to be prepared, “Added he.
The BCCI has encouraged many of its cricketers to play county cricket over the years, especially before England tours.
When he wasn’t in the IPL, Ishant Sharma went to Sussex and improved his red-ball bowling over the last few years.