Vijay Shankar joins Hanuma Vihari, moves to Tripura ahead of the domestic season 2025-26

A Tripura Cricket Association official confirmed the news of Vijay Shankar and Hanuma Vihari’s move.

India cricketers Vijay Shankar and Hanuma Vihari have decided to change their domestic cricket teams. Shankar, who plays for Tamil Nadu, has decided to ply his trade for Tripura from the upcoming Indian domestic season onwards.

Ahead of the upcoming domestic season, India batsman Hanuma Vihari has signed with Tripura after receiving a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA).Vihari applied for the NOC on Sunday and received it within a day, according to ACA sources, indicating that the move was completed quickly.

As a result, his tense relationship with the ACA is over. Nara Lokesh, the general secretary of the TDP, the state’s ruling party, talked him out of switching teams last season after he had resigned as captain at the beginning of the 2023–24 season and accused him of “political interference.

“After thoughtful consideration, I have made the decision to move to the Tripura Cricket Association, where I will be representing the state in all three formats of the game. While I’m grateful to the Andhra Cricket Association for the role they have played in my journey so far, I believe that it’s time for a platform that aligns better with my aspirations and allows me to contribute consistently across formats. (I’m) excited for this fresh challenge and fully committed to giving my best in this next phase,” Hanuma Vihari posted on social media.

Vihari played 84 domestic matches (44 for Andhra and 40 with Hyderabad), scoring 6168 runs with 14 centuries and 32 half-centuries.

Vijay Shankar confirms move to Tripura in the new India domestic season

On the other hand, Vijay Shankar also confirmed his move to Tripura from Tamil Nadu on August 27. Shankar, a right-handed batting all-rounder, had participated in 58 Ranji Trophy matches for the Tamil Nadu State Cricket team, where he began his domestic career in 2012. He scored 3142 runs at an average of 44.25 while batting down the order, and he has 11 centuries to his credit.

In List A, he has played 106 games for the Tamil Nadu team, amassing 2632 runs at an average of around 35, making his career appear similarly impressive. He has two hundreds in the format and has played in T20s, where he has 2454 runs and 36 wickets.

“I have obtained the NOC from TNCA, but am yet to receive confirmation from the Tripura Cricket Association. I will be able to officially announce my switch once I get the formal approval letter from Tripura,” said Shankar.

Vijay Shankar, the all-rounder batter, has featured in 9 T20Is and 12 ODIs for India, which also included the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Late Tuesday night, a representative of the Tripura Cricket Association informed Cricbuzz that Vijay Shankar will play professional cricket next season alongside Hanuma Vihari. The Ranji Trophy, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy are the three game formats in which Tripura is reportedly expected to compete in the Elite divisions.

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