Is Hanuma Vihari a perfect replacement at number 3 for Pujara?

Hanuma Vihari was resolute in his display with the willow on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka. The right-hander scored a 128-ball 58 for his side in the match against Sri Lanka and put on a 90-run partnership with batting legend Virat Kohli.

Vihari displayed patience, waited for his opportunity and then pounced on any loose offering from the Sri Lankan bowlers. Now, prior to the series, India’s veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara was dropped from the Indian squad.

Pujara experienced a dry run with the willow during the whole of 2021, and could only score 702 runs in the 26 innings at a poor average of 28.08. Also, the last time Pujara scored a century was in the year 2019.

And now, the question is, is Vihari a perfect replacement for Pujara at the No.3 spot? Sunil Gavaskar stated that the right-hander has provided the same sense of calm to the Indian dressing room as Pujara, and has allowed the fans to breathe easy. The 71-year-old legend also stated that there will be no nervousness in the dressing room when Vihari is out in the middle.

“He has given the same sense of calm to the Indian dressing room as Pujara used to. When Pujara was at the crease, you could breathe easy. You knew that one end would be tight. He has been very impressive. Look at the straightness of the bat. Most of the runs have come from full face of the bat. Not once would the dressing room have felt any nervousness because of the way he has been batting. He has looked so good,” said Gavaskar as quoted by India Today.

Vihari has all the ingredients of a Test batter. He is patient, he can play the waiting game, and also has a penchant for a long innings. And, with Pujara slowly moving into the mid-30s, Vihari, at the age of 28 is a bright prospect for the Indian side in the future. And in the long run, the Indian side might have found a replacement for Pujara in Vihari.