On debut, Vihari joins record book with these legendary Indian batsmen

Hanuma Vihari made his Test debut at the Oval and his selection in India’s playing XI ahead of Karun Nair raised a lot of eyebrows, but the debutant has silenced all the dissent by producing a gritty half-century in his first Test innings. And while doing so he has entered his name in the record books. Infact, the youngster now shares records with some of Indian cricket’s greatest batting stars.

Vihari arrived at the crease when India was tottering at 103 for 4 wickets down. Vihari’s first innings wouldn’t have come at a more challenging situation. He was welcomed to the crease by James Anderson who was at his peak and had just claimed two wickets and then, peppered with some nasty short-deliveries and there was a constant verbal banter going on.

Hanuma Vihari’s first 15 mins as a batsman has all the shades of the rainbow. Can he survive this onslaught? If he can he will have emerged a mature cricketer. Glad he got his first run.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) September 8, 2018

Despite all this, Vihari stood tall and weathered the storm like an experienced campaigner and guided India to safety. In the meantime, he produced his fifty and was finally undone by a Moeen Ali special delivery that found his outside edge.

In his first Test innings, Vihari made a series of records. He became the 26h Indian to score a fifty on debut.

Hanuma Vihari 26th Indian to register a 50+ score in debut innings.
The last Indian before him was Hardik Pandya who made 50 at Galle in July 2017.#EngvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 9, 2018

And more importantly, he is the only fourth Indian batsman to score a fifty on debut against England in England. The last time an Indian batsman achieved this feat was in 1996 when India’s two batting legends announced their arrival in international cricket. The god of offside Saurav Ganguly and The wall Rahul Dravid.

Hanuma Vihari (56) now the fourth Indian to register a fifty-plus score in his Test debut inns in England after Rusi Modi (57* in 1946), Sourav Ganguly (131 in 1996) & Rahul Dravid (95 in 1996).#EngvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 9, 2018

Vihari’s heroics with the bat coupled with Ravindra Jadeja’s brave and marvelous innings of 86 runs enabled India to reach to 292 runs, a score that looked a distant dream when Kohli had departed just a few minutes before the end of the second day. Vihari’s application and his grit to see off the new ball were commended by everyone.

Vihari was hailed on Twitter as well for his memorable batting.

Watching him bat, guess Vihari’s defensive game went in his favour. Team management must be given credit for the unorthodox selection. Must also give credit where it’s due. https://t.co/onkwzEgBER

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) September 9, 2018

Looks like Vihari is going to spend New Year's Eve in Australia. Would rather fail with new kids rather than the same clowns again and again.

— Sameer (@Notacrickethack) September 9, 2018

Fifty on debut. Well played, Hanuma Vihari. Hopefully first of many ?? #engvind

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 9, 2018

Got to be half decent to get this Hanuma Vihari guy out. Struggles with fourth stump swinging away! #stayhumble On a serious note, class player and if his first class record is anything to go by he will be an outstanding Test cricketer https://t.co/iBOLamjOJF pic.twitter.com/GorSQDXgZy

— Mr M. Ismail (@Mouhssin_Ismail) September 8, 2018

Promising start by Vihari to his Test career. Not just the invaluable half century, has also shown a calm and collected temperament so badly needed in this team

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 9, 2018