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Hanuma Vihari’s exclusion from the Test series at home against New Zealand has raised many eyebrows. Vihari was battered and bruised in the Sydney Test batted on one leg in one of the grittiest innings by a batter to salvage a crucial draw but could not find a place in India’s Test squad. Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar was “surprised” by his exclusion and said that not playing in Indian Premier League (IPL) has played a role in it.
"Surprised not to see him for New Zealand Tests. We've seen that IPL performances invariable nudge the selectors and that seemed to have happened here. Vihari did not play a single IPL game so, out of sight & out of mind," Gavaskar said in an exclusive chat with India Today.
After facing criticism, Vihari was added to the India A squad for the tour of South Africa. As per reports, the 28-year-old will be on the plane to South Africa to prepare for the upcoming tour against Dean Elgar-led Proteas side.
It has also been said that Vihari has not been included in the side for New Zealand series because India usually go for five frontline batters in the squad and two spin all-rounders in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Vihari’s IPL career
Vihari has not played in IPL since 2019. He has played 24 IPL matches and scored 284 runs at an average of 14.20. He did not score a single half-century playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The Andhra Pradesh-born batter remained unsold in IPL 2020 auction at a base price of Rs 50 lakh.
