Former India chief selector MSK Prasad said it’s hard to look past Hanuma Vihari after his exploits in the unofficial Tests with India in South Africa when the team management sits down to pick a playing XI for the 3-Test series in South Africa.

Speaking to indiatoday.in, MSK Prasad said Hanuma Vihari deserved a chance to play at home against New Zealand in the recently-concluded 2-Test series but highlighted that the chance to tour South Africa with India A did him good.

Vihari, who last played for India in the heroic Sydney Test draw, was not picked for the New Zealand series and was added to India A squad for South Africa tour in the eleventh hour. Vihari has made good use of the opportunity, hitting 3 successive fifties in the unofficial Tests against South Africa A in Bloemfontein.

Vihari was part of the India squad during the England tour but the 25-year-old did not get a chance in the playing XI. Eyebrows were raised when Vihari was not picked for the home series and Shreyas Iyer, who got an opportunity to bat in the middle order, made merry on his Test debut, hitting a hundred and following it up with a fifty, giving the management selection headache.

India named both Iyer and Vihari in the 18-man squad while under-fire Ajinkya Rahane, who lost his vice-captain job to Rohit Sharma, is also part of the travelling party.

“First, of all, he was deserving of a place in the squad for the New Zealand series at home. I think since he was not going to get an opportunity, they would have sent him for India A tour. Now in the 2nd unofficial Test, he has hit two (three) half-centuries. Yes, having somebody who has done well in away series in England, Australia and West Indies. If you are looking at a youngster, then Hanuma Vihari should be played,” Prasad said.

Unforgettable experience with the india A boys both on and off the field.
Lots to learn and important experience for us.
Last couple of weeks with these boys will always remain special.
Looking forward to the Tests. pic.twitter.com/8EJ6v87Yw3

— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) December 9, 2021

“A lot depends on what they are expecting from the player, the role he is going to play. Hanuma Vihari is a guy who is solid in his technique. Similarly, Shreyas Iyer is someone who can bring in a little aggression.

“So it all depends on the batting order and what kind of role that the team management expects of their middle-order batter. Based on that, one of them can be given an opportunity.”

‘Mohammed Siraj will compete for No. 1 and 2 spots in pace unit’

Meanwhile, MSK Prasad also backed Mohammed Siraj to play a crucial role in the Indian pace attack in the near future, saying the Hyderabad pacer is in convention for not just the 3rd spot in the pace unit but the No. 1 and No. 2 spots.

Siraj, who was not picked in the XI for the Kanpur Test against New Zealand, came up with a game-changing spell in the Mumbai Test, continuing his impressive run in the longest format of the game in 2021.

“I think he is the third in the order and he is giving a run for the money for the 1st and 2nd slots (in the pace attack) also with the kind of performances he has put in. In all fairness, it will be Bumrah, Shami and Siraj will be the third pacer by default. Even the Indian team missed a trick by not playing in the first Test match (against New Zealand in Kanpur),” Prasad said.

“Now, having two seniors at home is a little difficult. You could have gone with Siraj and Ishant or Siraj and Umesh. You need that youthful exuberance. I feel that was a mistake for the Kanpur Test.”

India will play 3 Tests in South Africa from December 26 and it will be followed by a 3-match ODI series.