Hanuma Vihari records a 23-ball duck for Warwickshire on County debut

Keeping the preparations of the ICC World Test Championship Final in mind, India’s test batsman, Hanuma Vihari, has opted to participate in the ongoing Country Championship in the United Kingdom.

Not a part of any of the IPL franchises, the time was right for Vihari to get acclimatized with English conditions and prepare himself for the WTC Final scheduled to be played at the Rose Bowl, Southampton from 18th June this year. Notably, he will play a minimum of three games for the Birmingham-based county side Warwickshire in England’s domestic first-class tournament.

Making his County debut for the same against Nottinghamshire on Thursday (April 15) at Trent Bridge, Vihari was unable to impress and had a rather forgettable debut as he found himself in trouble against the veteran England pacer Stuart Broad.

An unimpressive debut for Hanuma Vihari

Batting at No. 3, the Andhra batsman struggled aplenty and eventually fell to Broad for a 23-ball duck after staying 40-minute in the middle. He was caught in the slips by Haseeb Hameed in the 23rd delivery, which was the last ball of the penultimate over of the day on Thursday, as Warwickshire ended the opening day at 24 for 2.

As Vihari failed with the bat, he at least ensured that his maiden outing had something memorable. Impressive on the field, the Indian Test specialist took a blinder, a one-handed diving catch while fielding at midwicket during Nottinghamshire’s innings (273) to send back Steven Mullaney for 31 off the bowling of Will Rhodes.

The 27-year-old spinner also bowled an over for his side, giving away 11 runs to the opponents. In response to Nottinghamshire’s 274, Warwickshire did not have a great start as their opener Robert Yates fell for 0 after facing the only a ball off Zak Chappell before Vihari was bowled for a duck as well.

The opening batsman Will Rhodes could also manage just 22 runs before perishing to Broad. At the close of play, Warwickshire needed 223 runs to win the game against Nottinghamshire with 7 wickets in hands.

Vihari was last seen in action for India in January, during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India won 2-1 under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane.