XtraTime Web Desk: In the absence of regular spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Indian cricket team’s new all-rounder Hanuma Vihari took two crucial wickets for his side and one of them was Marcus Harris who scored 70 runs before getting out. As per Vihari the wicket of Harris was the key at that point.
“I was lucky enough to get that extra bounce. It was an important wicket at that stage. He was et and looking dangerous after lunch. I was trying to bowl my best for the team,” said Vihari while talking to the media at the end of first day’s play.
Indian bowlers were “disciplined” after an ordinary start on the opening day of the second Test and the target for day two is to restrict Australia to 320-odd in the first innings.
“The first hour tomorrow will be very crucial. If we get them out for below 320, we are right back in the game. If we bat well, we have a good chance. The first hour is crucial,” said Vihari.
“Our only plan was to be disciplined. I think we did very well in that aspect. In all three sessions, we bounced back really well. They had so many plays and misses. It happens in the game. Overall we put in a good effort,” he added.
India went in with four pacers for only the third time in their Test history, and Vihari, who bowled 14 overs, said he understood the role of bowling a few overs through this match.
Vihari didn’t have the best start but tightened up enough to snare two crucial wickets, dismissing set batsmen Marcus Harris and Shaun Marsh.
“I tried to bowl a little bit quicker because I was trying to hit the surface a little bit more and get the bounce out of the wicket. That was the main idea – try to keep it tight and give the seamers a rest. I knew I would have to step up if required. Overall I was prepared for that. I was happy I could do a job for the team,” he said.
“I have done a bit of bowling, even in the Ranji Trophy level, but more in limited overs. I know the idea of where I can make the batsmen play. I try to play with the fields I have. I want to keep it simple and try to do the job for the country. I know my role very well in the team. I try to keep it tight. If the wickets come, it is a bonus. My job is to make the batsman play a loose shot for his runs,” he added.
When asked about the pitch, he said that it quickened up during the day. Further, he added that the Indian batting line-up will have to be disciplined and patient in similarly difficult conditions on day two.
KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant were guilty of dropping catches, but a highlight for India in the field was Virat Kohli’s one-handed catch at second slip to dismiss Peter Handscomb.
“It was a blinder. Those are the moments that change the course of the game. We needed something after lunch to change the rhythm. It was a screamer. We were lucky he had come to slip in that very over. It was meant to happen,” he said.