On Day 5 of the third Test against Australia, Indian middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari, along with senior Indian cricketer R Ashwin, showed once again why Test cricket is rated as the purest and most challenging form of cricket as the two batsmen pulled off a memorable draw for Ajinkya Rahane & Co. With most of the players having sustained injuries, to make matters worse, Vihari struggled with cramps very early in his innings on the final day and could barely run. Despite that, as he went off to bat for 161 deliveries, a tweet from Union Minister Babul Supriyo triggered outrage on social media
Given the scenario, with set batsmen back in the hut, it was more important for the visitors to save the match. That’s what Vihari did as he faced 161 deliveries and scored just 23 runs. However, Supriyo criticised the Indian batsman for his slow approach and said Vihari had 'murdered cricket' by scoring just 7 runs off the first 109 balls he faced.
Playing 109 balls to score 7 !That is atrocious to say the least•Hanuma Bihari has not only killed any Chance for India to achieve a historic win but has also murdered Cricket.. not keeping win an option, even if remotely, is criminal. PS: I know that I know nothing abt cricket,” he tweeted.
Playing 109 balls to score 7 !That is atrocious to say the least•Hanuma Bihari has not only killed any Chance for India to achieve a historic win but has also murdered Cricket.. not keeping win an option, even if remotely, is criminal.
PS: I know that I know nothing abt cricket
In his defense, Supriyo went on to add that had Vihari hit only bad balls for boundaries, India would have gone on to win the Test match.
“If Hanuma showed this little initiative of just standing& hitting the BAD BALLS for boundaries, India may hv got this historic win GIVEN that Pant did what no one expected•And, I am reiterating that it's ONLY the bad balls that cud hv been hit given Hanuma was set batman by then,” he added