Sun is shining brightly on Hanuma Vihari both on and off the field. The middle-order batsman who scored an impressive fifty on his Test debut in England and continued that form into the domestic circuit, scoring a match-winning 87 for India B in the Deodhar Trophy opener recently got engaged to his longtime friend and Hyderabad-based fashion-designer Preetiraj Yeruva.
The couple got engaged on Sunday in a glittering event in Hyderabad with some big names like senior IPS officer CV Anand and businessman Chamundeswarnath attending the ceremony. Amongst cricketers, Akshath Reddy, T Suman, and Ravi Teja were present to wish their friend and teammate.
According to Times of India, the ceremony began with a traditional puja followed by the ring exchange ceremony for which the couple changed into western wear from their traditional outfits.
The engagement immediately brought good news for Vihar, who made a brilliant 87 for India B in their 43-run win over India A in the Deodhar Trophy opener at New Delhi on Tuesday.
A day later, Vihari again starred with the bat for India B, scoring 76 quality runs to push them to 231 against India C.
Speaking about his India aspirations Vihari said he hopes to be in India A squad for the New Zealand tour, where Test regulars Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are also expected to travel ahead of the tour Down Under.
"I did not get a game against the West Indies, so I used the time in the nets to prepare for Australia. We had a ramp kept on the pitch so that it generates some steep bounce which we are likely to face Down Under," said Vihari after making a match-winning 87 in India B's 43-run win over India A in Deodhar Trophy here on Tuesday.
"It is a big series I would like to be a hundred percent before I go there. I don't know if I will be in the team for the A tour to New Zealand but if I get a game it will be good practice. If not the same, the conditions could be similar to Australia," said the Andhra captain.