‘Yeh toh mere baaye haath ka khel hai’ – Fans react as Hanuma Vihari bats with broken hand in Ranji Trophy once again

Published on February 3, 2023

Andhra Pradesh skipper Hanuma Vihari batted with a fractured wrist for the second time in an effort to prevent Andhra from losing in the Ranji Trophy 2023 quarterfinals. The Indian batter is renowned for his valiant performance against Australia in the Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in 2020–2021.

In the first innings, Vihari had also entered the batting order and smashed two boundaries with a single hand. The right-handed batter used a left-handed grip and batted with his top hand. He had a little role in Andhra’s first innings score of 379, which was a respectable total.

Do it for the team. Do it for the bunch: Hanuma Vihari

Vihari was compelled to enter the game as Andhra was struggling at 76/9 after bundling out the reigning champions Madhya Pradesh for 228 runs. After having the guts to bat for the second time, Vihari received a standing ovation. He struck three boundaries in his 15-run innings off 16 balls before being bowled out by Saransh Jain.

In their second innings, Andhra set Madhya Pradesh a goal of 245 runs, but by the conclusion of Day 3, they had not been able to take a single wicket. Madhya Pradesh currently needs 201 runs to win on the last day after scoring 44 runs with no wickets lost.

Since the advent of Shreyas Iyer as an aggressive Test batter against spin bowlers, Vihari has not been a member of the national side. Vihari has had a mediocre season leading the Ranji team this year, but he will go down in Indian cricket lore as a brave warrior.

Vihari used Twitter to share a video of his game-winning hitting highlights after his outstanding performance of sportsmanship. “Do it for the team. Do it for the bunch. Never give up!! Thank you everyone for your wishes. Means a lot!!,” he captioned the Twitter post.

Do it for the team. Do it for the bunch.
Never give up!!
Thank you everyone for your wishes. Means a lot!! pic.twitter.com/sFPbHxKpnZ
— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) February 1, 2023

It’s interesting to note that Vihari has demonstrated such valour and tenacity before. When he batted although suffering from a torn hamstring and assisted India in tying Australia in the Sydney Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in 2021, he demonstrated his sense of teamwork.

Here’s how Twitter applauded Hanuma Vihari’s move:

Sadly very few will remember this
Even you won't remember this
😔
— Dwight Schrute (@Conano_) February 2, 2023

He is a fighter
In BGT 2021 3rd Test
Partnership with Ashwinhttps://t.co/bcXuyIomM6
— Tech Gaming AG (@TechGamingAG) February 2, 2023

That shot which he hit on when he was at 6*
Was a direct slap to @BCCI for not selecting him for BGT
— Girish Reddy (@girishreddyt12) February 2, 2023

We can't even hold the bat with non-working hand but this man…truly remembered for the years to come
— vinay upadhyay (@im01vinay) February 2, 2023

Salute to his spirit towards cricket 👏👏
— Akshay Bahl (@BahlSahab) February 2, 2023

That is really sad to see, all the cricketing voices are praising this very career risky effort of Vihari…If he is anyhow a great talent means he should be there for India.. fit nd fine.. not ruin himself by such bravery
— Shas35420 (@Shash35420) February 2, 2023

Jyada ho rha ab
— SAIF (@Saifsid2107) February 2, 2023

Hanuma as his name suggests as he is synonymous of fight. Some innings were not just about runs some are about grit & determination.After injured wrist to he comes to bat for team is nothing short of inspirational. He is one of the pillar of famous Sydney draw. Brave cricketer 👏
— Shakti Man 💥 (@IamShaktiMann) February 2, 2023