Hanuma Vihari: ACA reportedly claims India batter's teammates signed letter of support 'under threats'

Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) had claimed that the letter of support from teammates which Hanuma Vihari shared on social media platforms was signed under duress. India batter Vihari  on Monday made explosive claims after his team was knocked out of Ranji Trophy and accused the ACA of forcing him to resign as captain due to political interference.

Vihari said that he was asked to quit captaincy after he shouted on KN Prudhvi Raj, who was the 17th player in the squad and a politician’s son, during the first game against Bengal. The India cricketer, who has featured in 16 Tests, also added that he felt “embarrassed and will “never play for Andhra”.

He also shared a letter on X (formerly Twitter) which was signed by his teammates and requested ACA to continue with Vihari as captain.

The whole team knows! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/l5dFkmjGN9

— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) February 26, 2024

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Now as per India Today, ACA that players were forced to sign the letter “under threats” and have shared the association will investigate the whole matter.

Following are the claims made by ACA and revealed by India Today:

He asked the Andhra Cricket Association to continue on behalf of Andhra, apologising for being emotional and frustrated for not being selected in the Indian team, as he was not given the NOC.

The parents of the players have brought it to the attention of the association many times that the local players are losing opportunities due to players coming and going of the team. But keeping in mind Vihari’s experience, the team management kept him. However, it is unfortunate that Vihari is making false accusations on social media platforms.

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Hanuma Vihari has alleged that despite all the players in the team supporting him to continue as the captain, he was removed. In this regard, the concerned players have complained to the Andhra Cricket Association against Vihari.

Some players have complained to the Andhra Cricket Association that they were forced to sign under threats. Andhra Cricket Association will thoroughly investigate all the complaints received and report the facts to the BCCI.

Another player in the team, Prudhvi Raj KN accused Hanuma Vihari of being a politically influential person. These allegations are completely untrue. Being the 17th member of the Andhra Ranji Trophy team, KN Prithvi Raj did not make the Ranji team even once.

He played in Under 14, Under 16 age group cricket from childhood, Under-19, Vinoo Mankad and Cooch Bihar Trophy, Under 23, and 25 Col. C K Naidu Trophy and showed good talent. He played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2023.

In the Ranji Trophy match against Bengal in January this year, Hanuma Vihari, who was then captain of the team, played another injured wicket-keeper, not Prithviraj. We also received a complaint that Vihari had personally insulted the player in front of everyone during the Ranji match in Bengal. The aggrieved player lodged an official complaint with the Andhra Cricket Association.

Moreover, players had previously complained to the Andhra Team Managers Association that Vihari used foul language and misbehaved with fellow players during the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. It was stated that due to the behaviour of Hanuma Vihari, there was a class difference in the team.

In January 2024, after the first Ranji Trophy match, ACA Senior Selection Committee Chairman, Vasireddy Chandramouli Prasad Chaudhary, sent an e-mail to the Andhra Cricket Association, proposing a new captain following complaints about Vihari’s form.

In response to this, Vihari also sent a mail to Andhra Cricket Association saying that he will abide by the decision taken by the selection committee one hundred percent. Andhra Cricket Association did not interfere in this matter. The decision making authority is entirely taken by the selection committee.

It is very unfortunate that some political parties and their leaders criticise the prestigious Andhra Cricket Association on the basis of Vihari’s allegations on social media. ACA politely appeals to those who don’t like politics over cricket.