Hanuma Vihari responds to Andhra Cricket Association show-cause notice over captaincy controversy

Add as a preferred source on Google

Hanuma Vihari has responded to a show-cause notice from Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) asking him the reasons behind his comments while deciding to never play for the team again. The India batter had accused ACA of removing him from captaincy under political pressure.

In an Instagram post, Hanuma Vihari had alleged that he was forced to step down from captaincy for shouting at a player whose father is a politician. He slammed ACA for disrespecting his contributions, and vowed never to play again for Andhra Pradesh.

"I was captain in the first game against Bengal, and during the game, I shouted at the 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," Vihari's post added.

PTI on Thursday reported that Hanuma Vihari hasn't responded to a show-cause notice from Andhra Cricket Association. An ACA official told PTI that ACA was trying to hear the grievances of Hanuma Vihari, and the circumstances under which he made the allegations.

“Yes, we have served him a show-cause notice and we are awaiting his reply,” an ACA official told PTI on conditions of anonymity. However, the official said the association did not want to prolong the issue.

“This is just to find what made him react the way he did last month. He has not reached out to us, so this is a chance for him to come out with his grievances.

“After all, we value Vihari and his contributions to the growth of state cricket as he has played a big part in Andhra going up in the ranks in domestic cricket,” he added.

However, Hanuma Vihari has refuted the reports, and confirmed ESPNcricinfo that he has already responded to the notice. The website also saw the right-hand batter's response in which he stated that he "put out the facts" about the "unfair" treatment towards him.

"I want to move out and play for another team. I've asked ACA for a no-objection certificate. I'm awaiting a response," Vihari told ESPNcricinfo.

The 30-year-old 55 runs in his last outing for Andhra Pradesh in the second innings against Madhya Pradesh in Indore in February. He last played for India in July, 2022.