Hanuma Vihari gave a good example of placing No. 3 in the India test batting team with a measured knock-out day 1 of the first test against Sri Lanka in Mohali. Vihari was calm and composed as he scored for half a century before one pulled on his stumps. Vihari was the only batsman in India to cross the 50 runs, as people like Rohit Sharma (29), Mayank Agarwal (33), Virat Kohli (45) and Shteyas Iyer (27) perished after the start.

Speaking of Vihari's successes, former Indian captain and fighting legend Sunil Gavaskar likened himself to Cheteshwar Pujara. Pujara was eliminated from the Indian testing team along with Ajinkya Rahane for this series

"He has given the same sense of calm to the Indian dressing room as Pujara used to. When Pujara was at the crease, you could breathe easy. You knew that one end would be tight," Gavaskar told Star Sports.

"He has been very impressive. Look at the straightness of the bat. Most of the runs have come from full face of the bat. Not once would the dressing room have felt any nervousness because of the way he has been batting. He has looked so good.

"Look at the time he has to get into position. Very impressive. He was impressive in South Africa where the pitches were far more difficult. The way he farmed the strike in the 2nd innings to bat with the tail and get valuable runs," he added.

Vihari played only one test match in South Africa and has fought for a place in Test Play XI for the last two years. In 2019, he recorded good performances on a tour of the West Indies in the spotlight.

As the leadership of the Indian team is looking for such as Pujara and Rahane, Vihari has a huge opportunity to strengthen his position on the XI course.