India’s Test specialist Hanuma Vihari is all set to compete for English county side Warwickshire in a bid to prepare for India’s upcoming Test tour of England.
Vihari, who had earlier been part of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (DC), had a base price of Rs 1 crore going into the auction but found no takers in the auction room on February 18.
Considered to be a Test specialist, Vihari has not played in the tournament since the last two years after being released by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019. Vihari has already left for the UK and will be part of the Birmingham-based team for at least three games this season.
“Yes, Vihari will be playing in the English county side for Warwickshire this season. He would play a few games. He is in England now,” said a senior BCCI official on Tuesday.
The Warwickshire county’s official page hasn’t made the announcement yet.
“The contract is being chalked out. He will play a minimum of three games. We are trying to figure out if there is a chance to play a few more,” the official said.
“With a curtailed domestic season this time and Vihari being a part of the Test side, he needs match practice.
“All his other Test colleagues are part of IPL teams, including Cheteshwar (Pujara). Even if it’s white-ball games, they will be fit and match-ready,” the source said.
“However, we need to ensure that Vihari also gets game time before the England tour. It’s not just one World Test Championship final, but the full-fledged five-Test series that follows. We need him ready,” he added.
