On 16 off 37 balls when he went off, Vihari had to go for scans, where X-rays revealed a fracture. ESPNcricinfo has learnt that at the time, Vihari was told he would likely have to be out of action for four weeks. The team management decided he would bat only if required.
It was at this point that Vihari returned and took guard as a left-hand batter to protect his fractured forearm. With his left hand fully taped, he tapped deliveries back almost entirely using one hand, the right.
Before lunch, Vihari managed to play out an entire Avesh over, and hit two more boundaries to go with his overnight tally of three, including a steer off Avesh to the point boundary. He even pushed offspinner Jain to point for his second boundary of the morning.
Towards the end of the session, Mohan kept much of the strike to ensure Vihari wouldn’t do further damage to his forearm.
Vihari has had a mixed season, scoring 475 runs so far in 13 innings at an average of 39.58 with two half-centuries.
*GMT 1555 The article was amended after it was confirmed that the injury was to Vihari’s forearm and not his wrist, and that the injury is expected to keep him out of action for four weeks.