Advertisement
Sections
Duleep Trophy: 'Definitely I enjoyed captaincy,' says Hanuma Vihari after leading South Zone to title
Vihari, who will be representing for Madhya Pradesh this domestic season, led from the front with scores of 63 and 42 as South Zone defeated West Zone by 75 runs in the final in Bengaluru.

India batter Hanuma Vihari says he relishes the role of captaincy after leading South Zone to victory in the Duleep Trophy on Sunday.Vihari, who will be representing for Madhya Pradesh this domestic season, led from the front with scores of 63 and 42 as South Zone defeated West Zone by 75 runs in the final in Bengaluru.Chasing 298 to win, West Zone were bundled out for 222 on Sunday with a majority of the runs coming off the bats of skipper Priyank Panchal (95) and Sarfaraz Khan (48). Seamer Vasuki Koushik (4/36) and R Sai Kishore (4/57) led the way for South Zone with four wickets each.The performance will definitely boost Vihari's credentials in his attempt to reclaim his lost spot in the Indian team. But for now, it is quite understandable that the right-hander termed the whole experience as an "enjoyable" one."Yeah! Definitely I enjoyed captaincy. When you have a team like that you will enjoy doing captaincy," Vihari said after the win on Sunday.However, Vihari paid wholesome compliments to the bowling attack of South Zone."When you have this kind of bowling attack, captaincy pressure will come down. It was our plan to curtail them to below three runs (per over), and they executed it as the quality bowlers will make the captain's job really easy," said Vihari.Vihari also reserved a special word of praise for three Karnataka pacers, Vidwath Kaverappa, Vijayakumar Vyshak and Koushik.The troika grabbed 16 of the 20 West Zone wickets to have fallen in this match."All three Karnataka fast bowlers who played this match knew the wicket very well. I had said earlier as well that having bowlers who know the conditions is an advantage to us."But to be able to put it into use is another thing, all three of them showed their skills. The West Zone bowlers have a lot of quality on paper and to get them out needed special skills and they executed it really well," he said.Vihari said the dismissal of Sarfaraz late on the fourth evening was the turning point of the match."Yesterday in the third session, Priyank and Sarfaraz batted really well. His dismissal was the turning point, I thought."If Sarfaraz was there, he could have handled that spell of Vidwath and Koushik, and getting Sarfaraz's wicket in the last session was the turning point," said Vihari.With inputs from PTI
First Published:Jul 16, 2023, 16:03:16 IST
Advertisement
Advertisement

Rohit Sharma finally responds to growing speculation over his India future: 'Let the noise be there'
India ODI opener Rohit Sharma silenced speculation about his future with a record‑breaking performance at Lord’s Cricket Ground. HE became the first Indian cricketer to score an ODI century at the iconic venue.
2 min read
Shubman Gill pins India's loss on death-over lapses after England run riot: 'We gave away lot of runs'
India ODI captain Shubman Gill rued over the team's shortcomings in the third match against England. India suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Three Lions in the one-day series.
1 min read
Rohit shines with historic Lord's ton, but England seal series 2-1
With his back against the wall and an illustrious career on the line, Rohit Sharma silenced his critics the only way he can, smashing one of his most celebrated centuries in recent memory, though it wasn't enough to prevent a 27run defeat in the third ODI against England, as India surrendered the series 12 here Sunday
4 min read
India and England players don black armbands, observe minute's silence at Lord's to honour Sir Garfield Sobers
Players of India and England wore black armbands and held a minute's silence at Lord’s Cricket Ground ahead of the third ODI to honour legendary West Indies all‑rounder Sir Garfield Sobers.
1 min read
India coach shrugs off Rohit Sharma form woes amid speculation on ODI future: 'He brings that calmness'
India bowling coach Morne Morkel shrugged off any form-related concern over former India his captain Rohit Sharma after he failed to put up impactful knocks in past two matches.
2 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
