Five months after announcing his departure from the Andhra cricket team, Hanuma Vihari has decided to continue representing the state in the upcoming domestic season. This decision coincides with a recent change in the Andhra Pradesh government, now led by the TDP. The 30-year-old former India batter expressed contentment about staying with the team that played a crucial role in his international cricket career.
Vihari mentioned his commitment to state cricket and acknowledged that his initial decision to leave was influenced by certain reasons. However, he feels valued and is pleased to continue playing for Andhra. Vihari, who has played 16 Tests, highlighted his loyalty to the state team.
There is also a possibility that Vihari could be reinstated as the captain, a position he previously held but was controversially removed from by the former administration of the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA). Vihari expressed his willingness to lead the team again if given the opportunity. He had led Andhra in 37 games before stepping down.
Vihari's departure was announced after Andhra's quarterfinal match against Madhya Pradesh in February, citing political interference in the state's cricketing affairs as the main reason. He had felt that his removal as captain was due to a politician's influence, whose son was a teammate Vihari had reportedly reprimanded.
Following his resignation, Vihari shared on social media that he had never made personal remarks towards the player in question but felt undervalued by the association. He continued playing the season out of respect for the game, despite feeling humiliated.
Vihari's decision to leave Andhra had sparked political controversy, with leaders from the opposition TDP criticising his treatment. Prominent figures, including Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan, expressed support for Vihari. After recent elections and a change in government, Lokesh Naidu, a minister and son of Chandrababu Naidu, requested Vihari to stay, to which he agreed.
In light of the governmental shift, all office-bearers of the Andhra Cricket Association resigned. A special general meeting is scheduled to address these resignations and to call for new elections for the association on August 4 in Vijayawada.