'Unluckiest cricketer at the moment' - Hanuma Vihari's ouster from Cape Town Test leaves Twitter disappointed

Spare a thought for Hanuma Vihari! The right-handed batter, who hasn’t got regular chances, batted brilliantly in the preceding second Test against South Africa. However, he had to make the way to accommodate regular skipper Virat Kohli in the playing XI for the deciding Test. Now, this decision was on the cards but given that the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane haven’t performed consistently, Twitterati feel Vihari deserved a longer run.

For the unversed, Kohli gave the second Test, which took place in Johannesburg, a miss due to an upper back spasm.  Hence, Vihari, who had been waiting for his chances for long, got a place in the line-up. On a track where pacers enjoyed a gala time, Vihari returned with scores of 20 and 40 not out.

In fact, the 40 in India’s second innings came under extreme pressure as Vihari had to bat with tail-enders to help his side set a formidable target. Although his efforts weren’t fruitful as India suffered a seven-wicket defeat, many fans and experts lauded Vihari for showing remarkable resistance in front of a potent Proteas bowling attack.

12 of Hanuma Vihari’s 13 Test appearances have come on foreign soil

However, his impressive show wasn’t enough to get a place in the third and final clash at the Newlands, Cape Town. Netizens are disappointed with Vihari’s outser as the batter has always showcased his potential in difficult situations. In fact, 12 of his 13 Test matches so far have been played on foreign soils. However, the 28-year-old still managed to score 684 runs at an average of 34.2. This also includes one century and four fifties.

Another reason why fans are disappointed with Vihari’s ouster is the form of other batters in the line-up. Veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been enduring a lean patch in the last couple of years. Many fans and experts have even questioned their place in the lineup. However, the duo has received backing from the team management.

As both these batters also scored impressive half-centuries in the previous game, Vihari’s axing became even easier for the team management. Now, it will be interesting to see how this move pays off for the visitors, who are chasing their maiden Test series win in the rainbow nation.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitterati reacted to Hanuma Vihari’s ouster:

In January 11th, 2021 – Hanuma Vihari played a match saving knock at SCG.

Since then he played just 1 Test match – scored 20(53) & 40*(84) in South Africa.

In January 11th, 2022 – Dropped from the playing X1 due to the combination.

Sometimes it's harsh.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 11, 2022

Feel for Hanuma Vihari. Did nothing wrong in the previous opportunity he got after a long, but yet again he has to miss out from the playing XI.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 11, 2022

@Hanumavihari must be the unluckiest bloke in Test cricket currently. Looked the most solid Indian batsman at Wanderers, makes way for Kohli today.

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 11, 2022

Hanuma Vihari's prime batting years are getting wasted. Deserves a long rope but Dravid has already made it clear that he won't get regular chances as long as seniors are there. One of those players who has found himself at the wrong end of the system and process! #SAvIND

— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) January 11, 2022

It's genuinely tough being Hanuma Vihari. You play one test after an year, do well, but have to miss out again for no fault of yours.

— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) January 11, 2022

Skipper Virat Kohli replacing Hanuma Vihari.!Gonna feel for him.Played one Test every year.!He has been superb with India A also.!

— Deep Point (@ittzz_spidey) January 11, 2022

Feel for Hanuma Vihari. But sometimes you didn't do anything wrong but you dropped because of some reasons. He was do well in the previous match but he is now dropped but this is called destiny. I Hope he gets the more chances in the upcoming Matches.

— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) January 11, 2022

It's tough to be Hanuma Vihari! Hell tough. The guy was our saviour in SCG, dropped in home Test against NZ, sent for South Africa 'A' tour, brought back in Johannesburg, played a gritty knock and thn dropped again!

— Shivani Shukla (@iShivani_Shukla) January 11, 2022

Exactly one year ago, Hanuma Vihari saved a test in Sydney despite having an injury, one year later he finds himself out the of the Playing XI. Again. 😔#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/6JuHjkRqXe

— ° (@anubhav__tweets) January 11, 2022

Virat Kohli replaces Hanuma Vihari again out of the squad. ICT fans be like pic.twitter.com/iWKGfNDZkj

— Kartik Tripathi (@ImKartik05) January 11, 2022

You gotta feel for Hanuma Vihari 💔💔#INDvSA#CapeTown pic.twitter.com/P4LFF4Bztb

— SM (@lolsaalam) January 11, 2022

Hanuma Vihari you are a gem of a batter and the team owes you a big apology for this. You will be back and you will be back with a bang.#INDvsSA

— Sanyam Bothra (@BothraSanyam) January 11, 2022

Always pains to see Hanuma Vihari sitting out even after scoring the most difficult runs when there are clearly two once in 10 innings wonder batters in starting 11.

— Shrestha Srivastava (@ShresthaSri14) January 11, 2022

Have been saying this since 2nd test play @y_umesh … good decision but dropping @Hanumavihari is biggest injustice you can do a performer… @imVkohli @BCCI

— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) January 11, 2022