Hanuma Vihari's role as an opener is a stop-gap one and he will be given enough opportunities in his preferred middle-order spot should he fail at the top, assured chairman of selectors MSK Prasad.
Vihari along with debutant Mayank Agarwal will open the innings in the Boxing Day Test against Australia after the team management finally lost patience with the out-of-form duo of KL Rahul and Murali Vijay.
When asked if the new role is unfair on Vihari, who has only played two Tests so far, and doesn't regularly open in domestic first-class cricket, Prasad said:"He would be given a fair chance in the middle order should he fail to make an impression as an opener in the next two Tests."
"I always feel that it (opening against Australia in 1999) was an opportunity given to me which I didn't really lived up to. We think Vihari is well-equipped to do so (than Rohit Sharma). We are convinced with his technique and definitely he is a long-term prospect for Indian Test cricket."
"That is the reason why (they have both been dropped). It's really unfortunate."