IND vs AUS 3rd Test: MSK Prasad reveals Vihari's future if he fails as an opener

IND vs AUS 3rd Test: Vihari opening the innings at the MCG is a sort of deja vu for Prasad, who was given the same role during the disastrous 1999 series where he found Brett Lee's pace too hot to handle. Prasad feels that Vihari unlike him should see this chance as an opportunity

India have been struggling with their opening pair right from the beginning of the Test series Down Under. After an unfortunate ousting of Prithvi, the duo of KL Rahul and Murali Vijay was given the responsibility to provide a good start. However, they failed to prove their mettle twice and finally, got benched for the Boxing Day match.

Now in their absence, Hanuma Vihari is likely to open with debutant Mayank Agarwal. Vihari showed some class at his debut in England, a bit of patience in the last Test and before he opens the innings for India, chief selector MSK Prasad believes that his role as an opener is a stop-gap one and he will be given enough opportunities in his preferred middle-order spot should he fail at the top.

“He would be given a fair chance in the middle order should he fail to make an impression as an opener in the next two Tests,” said Prasad.

Having watched Vihari closely when he played domestic cricket for Andhra, Prasad feels that he has the game to face the new kookaburra.

“It's fine. Technically, we feel that Vihari is well-equipped. There were times where Cheteshwar Pujara also opened when the team required. The team demands it and definitely, I hope he will come out successful. Definitely, it is not a long-term solution, I can tell you that,” Prasad assured.

Vihari opening the innings at the MCG is a sort of deja vu for Prasad, who was given the same role during the disastrous 1999 series where he found Brett Lee's pace too hot to handle. Prasad feels that Vihari unlike him should see this chance as an opportunity.

While Mayank Agarwal has been rewarded for his consistent show at the India A level, Prasad admitted that one needs to ponder on future of Rahul and Vijay after their consistent failures over the past one year.

“We have called in Mayank Agarwal and he is in good form after that India-A series, so naturally he gets into the side. Going by current form, we all know that the current openers are not really living up to the expectation,” said Prasad.