New Boys Look Up To Virat Kohli As Their Idol: Hanuma Vihari

Vihari's consistency garnered huge attention as India started off the World Test Championship on a winning note by defeating Windies 2-0

India's ‘new find’ Hanuma Vihari top-scored for India with 289 runs in the two-match Test series against the West Indies. Leading run-scorer Vihari's consistency garnered huge attention as India started off the World Test Championship on a winning note by defeating Windies 2-0. In an interview to ESPNCricinfo, the 25-year-old revealed how India skipper Virat Kohli inspires new boys in the team by setting examples. Vihari also said that the young players look up to Kohli as their idol. "He (Kohli) sets an example - on the field and off the field, with the work ethic he has. He is an inspiration in the dressing room, especially for youngsters. We look at him like an idol and someone who we can follow," Vihari told ESPNCricinfo. India's middle order batsman Vihari scored his maiden Test century at Jamaica vs Windies on Day 2 of the second Test. The right-hander became the first Indian batsman since Sachin Tendulkar in 1990 to score a ton and a fifty in the same Test while batting at No. 6 or lower. Talking about playing in the 'V', Vihari said: "Playing in the 'V' was always my strength. If you ask anyone who has seen me in the early years of my career, they would say it is. Once I get my eye in, I dominate the spinners. Even the fast bowlers. I widen my range of shots, but initially I try to hit in the 'V' and play as straight as possible," he added. After leveling the T20I series 1-1, India will look for redemption when it takes on the visitors in in three-Test series, starting from October 2 at Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. "Every team, especially now with the Test Championship, will come hard for a win, especially when they're playing away. They want an away win. It'll boost their chances for the championship. I don't want to take it easy and be complacent," Vihari said.