Dravid on Vihari vs Iyer | India vs. South Africa: RAHUL Dravid explains why Shreyas Iyer Hanuma Vihari has to wait for regular chances in test cricket

Citing Virat Kohli, Pujara and Rahane, coach Dravid said that the younger side of the Indian test team will have to wait for regular chances until the seniors are close Photo: IANS / AP

Key highlights

• Rahul Dravid has explained why Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer have to wait for regular chances in the Indian team

• Hanuma Vihari returned to the test team in the second game of the series India against South Africa

• Vihari returned as both Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli were excluded from the 2nd friendly

The Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has explained why newcomers Shreyas Iyer and all-rounder Hanuma Vihari have to wait for regular chances in the longest game format. Indian Batters Vihari and Iyer are waiting in the starting blocks while Senior Batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have had a difficult period in the second edition of the ICC World Test Championship.

Both Vihari and Iyer were fighting for the Indian XI against South Africa after skipper Virat Kohli was excluded from the 2nd test against hosts South Africa. While Iyer was out due to a gastrointestinal disease, all-rounder Vihari returned to the test team in the penultimate duel of the three-game series between India and South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

In the second friendly against the Proteas, Vihari argued with a solid 40 blow, though his unbeaten blow was in vain when the Dean Elgar-led team beat India in a low-scoring competition. In a press conference after India’s defeat by South Africa in the 2nd Test, head coach Dravid Vihari congratulated the hosts on the race to catch up for the hosts in the second innings.

The Indian head coach then praised Iyer, who still has to play for India in the three-game test series. Iyer had previously made a formidable Test debut for India, slamming a century and a dismal half-century in the bilateral streak against New Zealand. “Shreyas (Iyer) obviously did that two or three friendlies ago and he obviously did that and all you need to do is encourage yourself that if they get opportunities they will do well and hopefully their time will come.” said Dravid.

Citing Virat Kohli, Pujara and Rahane, coach Dravid said that the younger side of the Indian test team will have to wait for regular chances until the seniors are there. “If you look at some of our guys who are seniors now, and if you look at them seniors, they also had to wait for their time and get a lot of runs early in their careers,” said Dravid.

After South Africa clinched its first test win against India at the Wanderers Stadium, Team India will decide the series on Tuesday. The third and final test will be played in Newlands, Cape Town. “So it happens (wait) as it is the nature of the sport,” he said, adding, “We can take a lot of heart from the way Vihari did in this game and that should give him a lot of confidence and that should give us one. ” lots of confidence, ”he added.