ACA issues fresh statement, reveals state body didn't remove Hanuma Vihari from captaincy

The Andhra Cricket Association released a fresh statement on the ongoing saga related to Hanuma Vihari’s sacking as the captain of the team. The governing body stated that removing the batter from the captaincy was a call taken from an independent selection committee and not them.

Things going in the Andhra Pradesh Cricket are turning into box office. India batter Hanuma Vihari has become the center of attraction after his shocking revelations on his Instagram account following his team’s exit from the Ranji Trophy after losing the quarter-final.

Hanuma Vihari revealed how he was removed as the captain of the team. The batter admitted that he shouted at the 17th player of the team during one of the games and the young player, whose dad is a politician approached the association and asked them to remove him as a leader.

He released the statement and mentioned that he won’t be playing for Andhra Pradesh anymore. There was a twist in the tale when Kuntrapakam Narsimha Prudhviraj, whom the Hanuma Vihari batter was talking about shared his part of the story.

The young cricketer mentioned that Hanuma Vihari abused him led the personal attacks and used vulgar language, which was unacceptable to him. He also added that India’s batter is trying to gain sympathy by making false allegations.

After that, Andhra Pradesh Cricket Team players wrote to the association and backed Hanuma Vihari. In a letter that stated that Senior batter didn’t do any wrong and they want him to lead the team as he has given his blood and sweat for the team over the past few years.

Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association also released the official statement then, saying that Hanuma Vihari threatened the team players to sign the letters. They supported the young player while pointing out the wrong things Hanuma Vihari did.

Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association on Wednesday (28th February) issued a fresh statement, saying that they had received several complaints against Hanuma Vihari by the team managers and the batter also has been using abusive language against the players. The statement read:

“The Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association in a strongly worded press statement release presented the facts of the matter about the ongoing controversy and stated that previously, several complaints had been received against Vihari’s conduct by the Andhra Team Managers’ Association.

“The ACA further informed that it was brought to their knowledge that Vihari had used inappropriate language against his mates and displayed misconduct towards fellow players during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament. Besides, another player, KN Prithvi Raj, the 17th member of the Andhra Ranji Trophy, had filed a complaint against Vihari’s misconduct with the organization. The alleged incident occurred during the Ranji Trophy match against Bengal.”

The decision to dismiss Hanuma Vihari as a captain was taken independently – Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association

The governing body further revealed that Hanuma Vihari picked an injured player to play instead of Prudhviraj. The statement added that the association is conducting a fair and unbiased investigation into the matter

“During the Ranji Trophy match against Bengal in January this year, Hanuma Vihari, then serving as the team’s captain, picked an injured player to play instead of Prithviraj. However, a complaint was received alleging that Vihari publicly insulted the player during the match against Bengal, prompting the aggrieved player to lodge an official complaint with the Andhra Cricket Association.

“The ACA also noted that Vihari’s behavior contributed to a division within the team. The association further made it clear that they are conducting a fair and unbiased investigation into the matter so that true facts of the matter can come to light.”

The statement continued:

“Furthermore, the association explained that the decision to dismiss Vihari as a captain was taken independently by the selection committee following concerns raised and internal discussions and the ACA didn’t interfere in the decision-making.

“In January 2024, following the first Ranji Trophy match, Vasireddy Chandramouli Prasad Chaudhary, Chairman of the ACA Senior Selection Committee, sent an email to the Andhra Cricket Association recommending a new captain in the light of complaints regarding Hanuma Vihari’s behavior. In response, Vihari also emailed the Andhra Cricket Association, expressing his full compliance with the decision made by the selection committee. The Andhra Cricket Association did not intervene in this matter, affirming that the decision-making authority solely rests with the selection committee.

“The ACA finds it unfortunate that certain political parties and their leaders have chosen to criticize the Association based on unfounded allegations made by Hanuma Vihari on social media. The ACA respectfully urges those who seek to politicize cricket to refrain from doing so,” read the statement.