Overview
Gnaneshwar Hanuma Vihari is an Indian first-class and international cricketer who has represented India in Test matches. A right-handed middle-order batsman and occasional off-spin bowler, he is known for his patient, defensive technique and has played a significant role in Indian domestic cricket, particularly for Andhra and later Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy.
Key facts
| Full name | Gnaneshwar Hanuma Vihari |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 October 1993, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Batting style | Right-handed |
| Bowling style | Right-arm off-break |
| Role | Middle-order batsman |
| Domestic teams | Andhra, Hyderabad, India A |
| Test debut | 2018, vs England, The Oval |
| Nationality | Indian |
Background
Hanuma Vihari was born in Kakinada in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. He lost his father at a young age, and his early cricketing journey was shaped by family support and a move to Hyderabad to pursue the game more competitively. He came through age-group cricket in Andhra and Hyderabad, representing India at the Under-19 level.
Domestic career
Vihari made his first-class debut for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy and quickly established himself as a prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket. He has been among the leading run-getters in the Ranji Trophy across multiple seasons, with several double centuries to his name. He later returned to play for his home state Andhra and went on to captain the side.
In limited-overs domestic cricket, he has featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Vihari has been associated with franchises including Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Daredevils (later Delhi Capitals).
International career
Vihari was selected for the Indian Test squad on the strength of consistent domestic performances and prolific scoring for India A. He made his Test debut against England at The Oval in September 2018, scoring a half-century in the second innings.
He went on to play Tests in Australia, the West Indies, New Zealand and at home, often used as a versatile middle-order option who could also bowl off-spin. During India's 2020–21 tour of Australia, Vihari played a notable role in the drawn third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, batting through pain from a hamstring injury alongside Ravichandran Ashwin to help save the match — an innings widely regarded as one of the defining rearguards of the series.
Style and significance
Vihari is regarded as a technically sound batsman with a strong defensive game, qualities that made him suited to Test cricket. His ability to occupy the crease, combined with utility off-spin, has often seen him deployed in challenging overseas conditions and in lower-middle-order roles. Within domestic cricket, he is considered one of the more accomplished red-ball batsmen of his generation.
Captaincy
Vihari has captained Andhra in the Ranji Trophy and has also led India A sides on tours. His leadership has been associated with a focus on red-ball discipline and developing younger players within the Andhra setup.
Related topics
- Indian cricket team
- Ranji Trophy
- Andhra cricket team
- Hyderabad cricket team
- India A cricket team
- Indian Premier League
- Sydney Cricket Ground
References
- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) player profiles.
- International Cricket Council (ICC) player records.
- ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz player statistics and match reports.