Few days back, Hanuma Vihari showed exceptional courage and determination when he walked out to bat not just once but twice with a 'broken wrist' against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match. Vihari scored 27 runs off 57 balls in first innings and 15 runs off 16 balls in second innings while batting for his team Andhra. His heroics went in vain as defending champions Madhya Pradesh defeated Andhra to seal a five-wicket win. The result of the match wasn't in Vihari's favour but the display of exemplary grit from him continues to gain praise from cricket fans all over the world.
Vihari, who has so far played 16 Tests for the national team, revealed after the match that the team physio asked him '10 times' to not bat as it might risk his career.
“When I said that I wanted to bat, the physio told me 10 times that my career might be at risk if I am hit on the hand again while batting. I told the physio that there is no problem if I don't play cricket after this match but if I give up for Andhra in this match, it will be in my heart forever,” Vihari said during the chat on JioCinema.
Vihari said he was devastated after getting injured in a 'quarterfinal match'.
"I was devastated because it was a quarterfinal match, such an important match for Andhra and I was not able to bat. I thought it would be an advantage even if I could add 10 runs for the team for the last wicket and I took that decision. If you have to do it for the team, you get the courage," said the India batter.
"Obviously there will be some disappointment but my job will be to score more runs in domestic cricket and I will try to do that to make a comeback. I have the confidence that if I score big runs for one or two seasons in domestic cricket and win matches for my team, I will again get the chance to prove myself for India,” said Vihari.