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Andhra cricketers were forced to sign the ‘Letter of Support’ that Hanuma Vihari had shared on his social media, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) said on Tuesday, sharing letters from the players. On Monday, Vihari lashed out at the Andhra cricket board after they asked him to resign as captain of the team.
Vihari alleged that he was subjected to mistreatment by the board and alleged political interference after Andhra failed to progress to the semi-final of the 2024 Ranji Trophy following a 4-run loss to Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
Vihari said that the Andhra board asked him to resign after cricketer Prudhvi Raj KN’s father, also a politician, complained to the state association that the Indian cricketer was verbally abusing his son, who was the 17th player in his team. Vihari also said that he would never play for Andhra and added that he felt humiliated by the management’s treatment.
However, the ACA said the signatures of the players calling for Vihari’s reinstatement as captain were obtained under duress. The state body also said several players and support staff members reported to the ACA about problems with Vihari’s conduct in the past.
The following are claims by the Andhra Cricket Association and copies of letters in support of them, accessed by India Today.
He asked the Andhra Cricket Association to continue on behalf of Andhra, apologizing for being emotional and frustrated at not being selected in the Indian team as he was not given the NOC.
The parents of the players have drawn the attention of the association many times to the fact that local players are missing out on opportunities due to the comings and goings of the team’s players. But considering Vihari’s experience, the team management retained him. However, it is unfortunate that Vihari is making false allegations on social media platforms.
Hanuma Vihari has alleged that even though all the players in the team supported him to continue as captain, he was removed. In this regard, the affected players have complained to the Andhra Cricket Association against Vihari.
Some players have complained to the Andhra Cricket Association that they were forced to sign under threats. The Andhra Cricket Association will thoroughly investigate all complaints received and report the facts to the BCCI.
Another player in the team, Prudhvi Raj KN, accused Hanuma Vihari of being a politically influential person. These accusations are completely false. Being the 17th member of the Andhra Ranji Trophy team, KN Prithvi Raj was not part of the Ranji team even once.
He played in under 14, under 16 group cricket since childhood, under 19, Vinoo Mankad and Cooch Bihar Trophy, under 23 and 25 Col. CK Naidu Trophy and showed good talent. He played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2023.
In the Ranji Trophy match against Bengal in January this year, Hanuma Vihari, who was then captain of the team, played against another injured goalkeeper, not Prithviraj. We also received a complaint that Vihari had personally insulted the player in front of everyone during the Ranji match in Bengal. The aggrieved player lodged an official complaint with the Andhra Cricket Association.
Also, the players had earlier complained to the Andhra Team Managers Association that Vihari used foul language and misbehaved with his teammates during the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. It was claimed that due to Hanuma Vihari’s behaviour, there was a class difference in the team.
In January 2024, after the first Ranji Trophy match, ACA Senior Selection Committee chairman Vasireddy Chandramouli Prasad Chaudhary sent an email to the Andhra Cricket Association, proposing a new captain following complaints about the form of Vihari.
Responding to this, Vihari also sent a mail to the Andhra Cricket Association saying that he will fully comply with the decision taken by the selection committee. The Andhra Cricket Association did not interfere in this matter. Decision-making authority rests entirely with the selection committee.
It is very unfortunate that some political parties and their leaders are criticizing the prestigious Andhra Cricket Association based on Vihari’s allegations on social media. ACA makes a polite appeal to those who dislike politics instead of cricket.