Hanuma Vihari exposes ACA, reveals why he was asked to step down as captain in between Ranji Trophy 2023-24

Hanuma Vihari opened up on stepping down as Andhra captain in between the Ranji Trophy 2023-24.

Indian veteran batter and Andhra Pradesh player Hanuma Vihari has made strong comments at the state association after his side’s heartbreaking defeat in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh in Indore on February 26.

The Andhra Pradesh batter Hanuma Vihari shared an emotional Instagram post where he stated that he felt humiliated and embarrassed after he was asked to resign as Andhra captain mid-season after alleged political interference.

Vihari, who started the season as Andhra’s captain against Bengal, relinquished his leadership duties after the opening league game of the tournament. The captaincy reins were handed over to Ricky Bhui, with Vihari continuing in his primary role as a top-order batter.

“I was the captain in the first game against Bengal, during that game I shouted on 17th player and he complained to his dad(who is a politician), his dad in return asked the Association to take action against me. Although, we chased 410 against last year’s finalists Bengal I was asked to resign from captaincy without any fault of mine,” Vihari wrote on Instagram shortly after the defeat.

The 30-year-old Hanuma Vihari had led Andhra Pradesh to the quarterfinals of the Ranji Trophy last season as well. Vihari finished the season as the second-highest run scorer for Andhra Pradesh with 522 runs from eight matches, including a ton and three half-centuries.

“I never said anything on a personal note to the player but the association thought that player was more important than the guy who gave his body on the line last year and batted left-handed, took Andhra to knock outs 5 times in the last 7 years and played for India in 16 Tests. I felt embarrassed but the only reason I continued playing this season was because I respect the game and my team,” Vihari added.

Hanuma Vihari, who last played a test for India back in 2022 against England, wanted to move to Madhya Pradesh ahead of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season, but he was denied an NOC (No-Objection Certificate) by the Andhra Cricket Association, and hence, he decided to stay on as captain for another domestic season.

“Sad part is the association thinks that players have to listen to whatever they say and players are there because of them. I’ve decided that I’ll never play for Andhra where i lost my self respect. I love the team. I love the way we’re growing every season but association doesn’t want us to grow,” he concluded.

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