The Sydney Test was still four days away and it appeared from Hanuma Vihari’s body language as he sat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground nets that he would be the man who’d be axed for the third Test at Sydney. But Vihari had the backing of the team management, who gave him the message that they trusted his ability and that it was only a matter of time before he made India proud.

As the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground clock ticked past 6.14 pm, Vihari could held his head up high. He batted for close to three hours on one leg and ensured India drew the third Test to keep the series at 1-1 with one match remaining.  Despite his heroics, Vihari walked towards the dressing room as if he hadn’t achieved anything. But his teammates knew the importance of his innings.  From Rishabh Pant to Prithvi Shaw, all embraced him.  Vihari deserved all the glory. After all, he had stood firm on the fifth day pitch against a bowling unit that is arguably one of the greatest in Australian Test history.