Have to be certain of shot selection – Hanuma Vihari on batting in challenging English conditions

India’s Test specialist Hanuma Vihari believes it is crucial for the batsmen to be certain of shot selection while playing in the challenging English conditions.

Vihari stated the ball moves a lot in England when there are overcast conditions and one has to play with guile in the tough conditions.

Meanwhile, Hanuma Vihari had made his Test debut in England at the Kennington Oval in 2018 and he had scored a gutsy fifty in his maiden innings. Furthermore, Vihari has been playing County cricket in this season for Warwickshire and it must have given him a chance to get used to the tough English conditions.

“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 bat, 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 off the wicket,” he told ESPNCricinfo.

The Andhra Pradesh player didn’t have a great debut in County Cricket as he was dismissed by veteran England fast bowler Stuart Broad for a duck after facing 23 balls. Vihari added that he thought the ball was full enough to drive and added that one has to pick their shots smartly in England.

“I thought it was 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,” he signed off.

It would be interesting to note if Vihari will be part of India’s playing XI in the WTC final against New Zealand, which will take place at Ageas Bowl, Southampton from June 18.