Hanuma Vihari has made the most of the chance that was given to him on the ongoing tour of West Indies. Before the start of the series, there was a huge debate on who should be picked between him and Rohit Sharma in the playing eleven. Rohit was in sensational form in this year’s World Cup. The India opener had slammed a record five centuries and thus leaving him out of the playing eleven was looking like an absurd idea.

Vihari, on the other hand, did not make much of a mark in his last Test series which was the series in Australia. But India still persisted with Vihari and the batsman has totally repaid the faith. He started the series with a 37-run knock in Antigua before scoring a solid 93 in the second innings of the Test. It was his innings that helped India put up a big total and eventually win the game by a record 318 runs.

His performance in the ongoing second Test is even better. In the first innings of the game, Hanuma Vihari scored his maiden Test ton. The right-handed batsman scored 111 and added 112 runs with Ishant Sharma for the eighth wicket to help India pile up 416. In the second innings, he scored another fifty to propel India to 168 for 4 before Virat Kohli declared the innings.

What is more commendable about Vihari’s knocks is that India were in trouble almost every time he walked out to bat. And every time, he made sure to pull India out of trouble with his stubborn batting. Vihari’s impressive knocks, nonetheless, have put India in command of the game in Jamaica.

After scoring 416 in the first innings, India bowled out the hosts for just 117 thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s six-wicket haul. India then scored 168 for 4 to set West Indies an improbable target of 468. In reply, West Indies were reeling at 45 for 2 at the end of day three.

‘Trouble for Rohit’

With Hanuma Vihari doing well in the middle-order, fans think that Rohit Sharma’s Test career is as good as over. Vihari is now all set to get an extended rope from the team-management and one cannot really see Rohit getting a chance in the playing eleven any time soon. Thus the fans are apprehensive that it is all over for Rohit as far as Tests are concerned.

Here are some reactions after Vihari’s knock:

With another fifty from Vihari, I hope this is the end of Rohit's test career. Even if Vihari fails, India has enough options coming through in domestic. #indvwi

— Samrat (@sam91notout) September 2, 2019

Rohit and Vihari trying to secure their place in test team. pic.twitter.com/3GkyyW9hFB

— Kourageous ✨🇮🇳 (@AN_EVILSOUL) September 2, 2019

Vihari is shutting the door slowly but surely for Rohit Sharma in tests. And no, I don't think Rohit can replace KL Rahul at the top. India has a lot of other options for openers. Gaikwad, Shaw, Gill, Bawne to name just a few. Can use Vihari occasional offies too.

— Aditya (@adityavnathan) September 2, 2019

#AskSportsTak When Vihari was selected in the team last year vs England… many of us doubted his ability but now he's is showing his worth..such that the likes of Rohit Sharma is sitting outside! @vikrantgupta73 @rawatrahul9 @sports_tak

— Prathmesh Tiwari (@Prathmesh200) September 2, 2019

Vihari scores a century 
Rohit sharma right now #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/1oAogsZHZv

— Bindaas Khiladi (@BindaasKhiladi) August 31, 2019

I am afraid but Vihari has absolutely murdered Rohit Sharma's test career, with his bare hands. You hate to see it.

— Vikalp (@20ncounting) September 1, 2019

No Rohit Sharma please. Just like Hanuma Vihari, Mayank Aggarwal india can find someone from Domestic or Indian 'A' with right technique and can negate new ball

— Krishna Kumar (@AtkrishnanKumar) September 2, 2019

Fifty for Hanuma Vihari. Final nail in the coffin of Rohit Sharma's test career? He's even a competition to Hardik Pandya now. Well played young man!

— Hrithik (@hrithik_says) September 1, 2019

Hanuma Vihari has batted very well, end of Rohit Sharma in Tests?

— Srikanth (@srikanthan09) September 2, 2019