Hanuma Vihari responds to ACA show-cause notice, asks for NOC ahead of next season Ranji Trophy
Xtra Time Web Desk: Hanuma Vihari, a cricketer from Andhra Pradesh, has responded to the show-cause notice issued by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) regarding his allegations of unfair treatment. Vihari claimed that he had provided factual information about the treatment he received and emphasized that it was unfair. He has also requested the association to issue him a no-objection certificate (NOC) so that he can explore opportunities with other teams in the upcoming Indian domestic season.
The ACA had served the show-cause notice to Vihari approximately a month after he publicly criticized the association, alleging political interference in his removal as the captain of the Andhra cricket team. Vihari had accused the ACA of unfair treatment, particularly highlighting his removal as captain and subsequent treatment during the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season.
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Vihari's allegations stemmed from an incident during a match against Bengal, where he claimed to have shouted at a 17th player, leading to a complaint from the player's father, who is a politician. Subsequently, Vihari alleged that the association took action against him due to political influence, forcing him to step down as captain despite his contributions to Andhra cricket, including leading the team to the Ranji Trophy knockouts multiple times and representing India in Tests.
In response to Vihari's claims, the ACA issued a statement stating that there were concerns about Vihari's conduct as captain, alleging that he had verbally abused a specific player during the Bengal match, leading to an official complaint filed by the affected player.
The situation reflects a dispute between Hanuma Vihari and the Andhra Cricket Association, with Vihari seeking to address what he perceives as unfair treatment and requesting permission to pursue opportunities with other cricket teams.
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In an Instagram post, Vihari alleged that he was forced to step down as captain following Andhra's opening-round game against Bengal in January. At the time, he had cited "personal reasons" for the decision, but said on Saturday that the truth was that the association had taken "action" against him because of political interference.
"I was captain in the first game against Bengal, and during the game, I shouted at 17th player, and he complained to his dad (who is a politician)," Vihari wrote. "His dad in return asked the association to take action against me. Although we chased 410 against last year's finalists Bengal [for a first-innings lead], I was asked to resign from captaincy without any fault of mine.
"I never said anything on a personal note to the player, but the association thought the player was more important than the guy who gave his body on the line last year and batted left-handed, took Andhra to the knockouts five times in the last seven years and played for India in 16 Tests."
The ACA issued a statement later on the same day, saying there were questions around Vihari's captaincy stint. "It has come to our attention that Mr Vihari personally verbally abused a specific player during the Bengal Ranji game in front of everyone," the statement said. "The affected player filed an official complaint with the ACA."
