“Any ball can get you out” - Hanuma Vihari reflects on defiant knocks in pink ball Test against Sri Lanka

Hanuma Vihari has said that the surface in Bengaluru being used for the pink ball Test against Sri Lanka is a challenging one for batters.

The No.3 Indian batter scored a hard-fought 35 off 79 deliveries on Day 2 of the Test. He had contributed 31 off 81 in the first innings. After the end of the day’s play, the 28-year-old told the host broadcaster about the challenges of batting on the surface:

“It was quite challenging, any ball can get you out; it was that kind of a wicket. I thought we batted well in both innings. The way we bowled as well. It was tough to bat o,n and it will be challenging for them (Sri Lanka) tomorrow as well.”

Vihari added that he trusted his defence despite the wicket not being easy to bat on, explaining:

“I knew which ones to play and which ones to leave. I got a good ball in the first innings, but I think in the second innings, I could have batted with more patience and could have got that big one. Nevertheless, I was pretty happy with the way I was batting.”

After Vihari’s departure for 35, Rishabh Pant (50) and Shreyas Iyer (67) smashed half-centuries to lift India to 303-9 before captain Rohit Sharma declared the innings.

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“Was easier to bat against spinners under lights” - Hanuma Vihari

Asked if things got easier for batters in the second innings, the dogged player said that both innings were quite similar, adding:

“It was easier to bat against the spinners under lights because of the dew, but in both the innings, it was quite challenging. I knew the areas where I could score on this wicket and waited for those deliveries.”

On the timing of the declaration, the right-hander explained that they did not have any plans but decided to make Sri Lanka bat after losing a few quick wickets. He said:

“We didn't plan to bowl tonight. But, with wickets falling, we felt we could bowl around 35-40 minutes and make things difficult for the Sri Lankan batters.”

After India declared their second innings with a lead of 446, Sri Lanka went to stumps at 28 for 1, with Jasprit Bumrah sending back Lahiru Thirimanne for a duck.