NEWS
Follow UsIn a sensational u-turn, Hanuma Vihari, who received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Andhra Cricket Association and was expected to shift to Madhya Pradesh ahead of the new domestic season, has now opted to stay back and continue with Andhra.
Vihari stepped down from captaincy mid-way during the 2023/24 Ranji season, and the batter later revealed in an Instagram post that political interference is what caused him to forcefully quit captaincy.
Vihari, in the post in question, said that he felt ‘humiliated and embarrassed’ and asserted that he’ll never play for Andhra again.
But a change in the political climate in the state — The Telugu Desam Party prevailed over YSR Congress Party — has seemingly made Vihari backtrack on the decision he made earlier.
Responding to Nara Lokesh, the Information Technology and Communication & Industries Minister in the Government of Andhra Pradesh, on Twitter, Vihari said he’ll ‘strive to take Andhra cricket forward’.
“Thank you so much for your support sir. I’ll strive to take Andhra cricket forward. I’m sure the future of Andhra cricket is in safe hands,” Vihari tweeted.
Vihari’s tweet was in response to the original tweet from Nara Lokesh which said: “Delighted to meet Indian cricketer @hanumavihari today. How he was subjected to political bullying, humiliated and driven out of Andhra Cricket by the earlier Govt was shameful. I have invited him back to Andhra Pradesh and asked him to strive to make Telugus proud once again. He will have our full support.”
Vihari’s decision to stay back with Andhra has reportedly not gone down well with MP head coach Chandrakant Pandit and other senior MPCA office bearers.
According to CricketNext, Pandit had assured Vihari of a freehand, and the state were even thinking about offering him a leadership position.
“I have been trying to speak to him for the last 5-6 days but wasn’t able to talk. I then dropped him a message and he called back last evening and said he would update me. This morning (June 20) I got a message from him that he will not be able to play for us,” Pandit had said earlier this week, reported News18.
It’s the second time in two years Vihari has been in talks with MP, only for the move to not materialise.
“It has happened for two consecutive years now and it’s very unfortunate. Everyone in the association was prepared to have him but the last moment back out, again, isn’t good,” the veteran coach added.
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