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Hanuma Vihari of India during the India practice session ahead of the 2nd Test match between India and Bangladesh held at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on the 21st November 2019. (Sportzpics)
Indian cricketer Hanuma Vihari has decided to switch states from Andhra to Tripura for the upcoming domestic season on Tuesday and was granted NOC from the Andhra Cricket Association. The 31-year-old reasoned that not getting picked in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Andhra was the reason behind his decision to change teams.
“Last season, ACA informed me about not getting picked for T20S, then I told them I don’t want to play ODIs (Vijay Hazare Trophy) either. They told me they wanted to try younger players. I feel I still can play three formats, so…I got an opportunity from another place, so I wanted to try,” said Vihari speaking to The Indian Express.
“Last year, when Andhra decided not to play me…if there are better options than (me) it is fine, but when they are not there and still I am not part of the side for the last two years…I have stayed for the Andhra side and players in it; somewhere, I felt I did not get the due respect I deserve,” Vihari said
Vihari was the skipper of the Amaravathi Royals, which ended as runners-up in the Andhra Premier League 2025 last week, losing to Tungabhadra Warriors. The right-hander was judged the Player of the Tournament as he amassed 299 runs at an average of 59.80 and a strike rate of 148.02.
‘Felt would be respected elsewhere’
However, the veteran domestic player did not want to stay for another season to see if the performance in the tournament would turn into a call-up to the side. “I did not want to wait and see if they were going to select me or not. As a professional player, I felt I would be respected elsewhere, and I have the option to take the opportunity, so I want to take it.”
Vihari, in the last couple of years, was also in talks with Madhya Pradesh to get the move; however, he was convinced by the Telugu Desam Party Minister Nara Lokesh to stay in Andhra.
“Nara Lokesh called me and promised you would have things in your hand, but somewhere down the line, it did not manifest. I did not get the support from the association. It was the same when the previous party was in power, and the new party is in power too. I did not want to go into all the politics. I want to focus on cricket.”
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Coincidentally, last season, Vihari was allegedly involved in a dressing room brawl with KN Prudhviraj, the son of Kuntrapakam Narsimha, a YSRCP politician (a political party which was in power in Andhra Pradesh at the time of the incident) and stepped down as the leader after the incident, citing “political interference.”
“The Government changed here last year, and they have asked me to stay here, and I stayed. I did not get as much response as I expected. They have not allowed me to play in three formats and have also given me captaincy after the first four games. Now that the opportunity has come, I want to start fresh again,” said Vihari.
The Indian Test batter said he wants to add more value to Tripura. “I am not expecting anything from Tripura. I want to add value to Tripura as a senior player who has played first-class cricket for 14-15 years. I want to bring glory to Tripura cricket. They are an upcoming side, so I want them to help win and make a strong team.”
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