I somehow felt that I owed the team that innings: Hanuma Vihari on his innings at SCG

Battered and wounded, but that didn’t stop Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin from pulling off one of the toughest draws in Test cricket. That bold effort at the Sydney Cricket Ground laid the foundation for Team India to gain momentum and hope to believe in themselves to end Australia's 33-year long streak at the Gabba.

Hanuma Vihari had sustained a grade 2 tear, but he still went to stand beside Ashwin for 45 overs to save the Test match. The duo stitched an unbeaten 62-run off 259 balls on a deadly Day 5 wicket at the SCG. 

Speaking on Star Sports' show Follow The Blues, the Andhra Pradesh-born batsman said he owed it to the team despite all the blows and injuries, and that made him stand strong against the mighty Aussie bowling line-up.

“Me, and Ashwin never realized what we were doing -- in terms of how big an achievement it was. He and I batted for about 45 overs against all odds. To be able to survive on a Day 5 pitch against that bowling attack. To be able to be in the present helped me because I realized that I had an injury, and I can't run. The only thing I could do from that situation was to bat time and cut down the overs and make sure we drew that game,” he said.

The only thing which was running through the 27-year-old’s mind was to bat according to the situation for the team’s cause. Vihari also thanked the management for trusting him and selecting him for the match.

“That was the only thing on my mind, playing for my spot was never my intention. I was only batting according to the situation of the game. I somehow felt that I owed the team that innings because of the trust they have shown in me in the first couple of games, and then they gave me an opportunity in the third game as well. So, I somehow felt in the tea break that I owe them big time and I am happy I could do it,” he added.

On camaraderie with Ravichandran Ashwin

“Ashwin and I spoke like in three or four languages when we were playing. It was nice, it was a very unique experience to be able to bat with him. Basically, we share a good rapport, both on and off the field,” Vihari said.

A perfect game plan was set up by the two batsmen in the middle. Ashwin, who also happens to be an off-spinner, took on his Australian counterpart Nathan Lyon while Vihari went against the pacers. 

“But to be able to build a partnership with him, not in terms of runs, but in terms of balls. Actually, he was batting from one end, he was facing Lyon pretty comfortably so that somehow made things easier. I was able to face the fast bowlers with ease, so it somehow made the equation a little simpler for us and we were communicating well between the overs,” the 27-year-old concluded.