"When I Reached My Hundred, No One From My Team Clapped.."- Ricky Bhui On 'Captain' Hanuma Vihari

Andhra batter Ricky Bhui scored a mammoth 175 against Bengal that helped his side take a crucial 36-run lead and get three crucial points in their Ranji Trophy match to kick off the 2024 season.

Bengal scored 409 batting first with Anustup Majumdar scoring 125. Skipper Manoj Tiwary scored 33 off 107 balls and Abishek Porel scored 70 batting at number seven for Bengal.

Bengal’s stiff target was challenged by Andhra led by Bhui’s stellar 175 off 347 deliveries with 25 fours and a six. Skipper Hamuma Vihari scored 51 of 133 deliveries as the duo shared a 90-run stand for the fourth wicket.

After securing three crucial points for Andhra, Ricky Bhui who is playing his 11th season for the state team said that his skipper Hanuma Vihari said that the team has a rule of not celebrating personal milestones. Andhra who are yet to win a Ranji Trophy tile started the year in the best possible manner.

“Vihari, as a leader, he only said there are no personal milestones. Whatever it is, it’s a team milestone. When I reached my hundred, no one clapped. It was mandatory that whatever is there, we have to chase it down,” the 27-year-old, who was adjudged the Player-of-the-Match, said.

Bhui who is playing his 11th year for Andhra in the Ranji Trophy said that he is happy with the young talents who have come through the state team courtesy of some consistent performances.

“At the same time, I look at the youngsters, like (Shaik) Rasheed coming in, CR Gnaneshwar, take that responsibility up ahead and make them also chase that mindset about what is required to excel at this level,” Bhui further said.

The batter went past his 150 with a paddle sweep that went for a four and helped Andhra take the lead over Bengal and he took his helmet off. But the celebration, he says, was to celebrate crossing Bengal’s 409 since he didn’t know he crossed 150.

“People usually get satisfied after reaching a milestone. No one should be satisfied until we are winning the game” he said.

The Andhra team has started a synchronized clapping sequence that anyone, at any time, can start, even if from the outside. While the batters are batting, the entire squad sits and claps after every ball. Bhui said that it is little things like these that speak volumes about the unity within the team and the players.

“[With] these small things we have made sure that the team has to be together. We are so determined to cross the line this time,” Bhui explained.

People Notice You When You Perform In The IPL: Ricky Bhui

Delhi Capitals picked up Ricky Bhui for 20 lakhs in the IPL 2024 auction. Bhui said that getting picked up by an IPL team after performing well in domestic cricket helps a cricketer to enhance his reputation.

“As a batsman, you have to keep piling up runs and IPL has become major. You know once you perform in IPL, you always get highlighted, people notice you. You never know what things might come up,” Bhui concluded saying.

Bengal and Andhra are placed in Elite Group B in the Raji Trophy 2024. The draw earned Andhra three crucial points while Bangal earned one point from the stalemate played out in Vizag.

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