Hanuma Vihari Vows to Quit Andhra Team Following Ranji Trophy Disappointment

Resolving to "never play for Andhra" once again is Hanuma Vihari's promise.

His declaration was made after Andhra's four-run loss to Madhya Pradesh on Monday, which prevented them from moving on to the Ranji Trophy semi-finals.

The experienced middle-order batsman, who has played in 16 Test matches, said on Instagram that he was forced to resign as captain after Andhra's January first-round match against Bengal.

"I yelled at the seventeenth player in the first game against Bengal when I was captain, and he complained to his dad (a politician)," Vihari wrote. In response, his father requested that the association take action against me. Despite our pursuit of 410 against Bengal, the runners-up from the previous year, for a first-innings lead, I was asked to quit as captain without any fault of my own.

"I never said anything to the player personally, but the association felt that the player was more important than the guy who played for India in 16 Test matches, batted left-handed, took Andhra to the finals five times in the previous seven years, and gave his body on the line last year."

After the incident, Vihari felt "humiliated and embarrassed," but he continued to play for captain Ricky Bhui.

"Even though it made me feel bad, I only kept playing this season because I love my team and the game." The unfortunate aspect is that associations believe players must heed their advice and that players exist because of them. I was ashamed and embarrassed, but I didn't say anything about it until today.

The Andhra Cricket Association remained silent.

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