Hyderabad is on the roll; Siraj and Vihari are in the Indian Test team

With the onset of December, a slight winter chill has arrived in Hyderabad. But the national selectors of the Indian cricket team have brought warmth to the hearts of all the city’s cricket lovers by picking two players from Hyderabad in the Test team which is to tour South Africa soon. After many years, two Hyderabadis will be seen together in the Indian squad. The players are fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and batter Hanuma Vihari.
Yesterday the All-India Senior Selection Committee picked an 18-member squad for the upcoming three match Test series against South Africa starting from 26th of December. The Test series will form a part of the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. The first Test will be held between December 26 and 30 at the Supersports Park Centurion ground, the second Test from January 3 to 7, 2022 at the Wanderers ground, Johannesburg and the third Test from Jan 11 to 15 at New Lands, Cape Town.
While Siraj’s selection this time was almost certain because he has proven himself whenever he has been given a chance, Vihari’s earlier exclusion despite good performances had left his fans disappointed. But now that he has been picked again, it is an encouraging development and it will give him a chance to cement his place in the Indian squad. Also young players of Hyderabad will feel encouraged to strive for excellence.
It was Vihari’s hard work and determination that has brought him this success. Despite being a prominent player in the longer format, Vihari was surprisingly dropped. But after his recent good showing for India (A) team against South Africa (A), he could no longer be ignored. On the fast South African tracks Vihari was rarely in trouble and he played the host team’s fast bowlers with confidence. This factor counted when the selectors sat down to pick the team.
Vihari’s first coach Noel Carr, speaking to siasat.com, said:  “I am absolutely delighted that both Siraj and Vihari are in the squad for the South Africa tour. Plus there are two more, namely T. Dilip, who is the fielding coach and Girish who will be the manager. They too are from Hyderabad. So it is great news for all of us,” said Noel.
“I was Vihari’s first coach during his Under-14 stage at St. Andrews School. In fact Vihari was training at Nagesh Hammand’s camp. But Nagesh closed the camp and asked me to take care of Vihari. That is how Vihari joined St. Andrews and then St. John’s Cricket Academy,” explained Noel.