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Just four months after saying he would "never play for Andhra again', India's Test batter Hanuma Vihari is set to rejoin the state side ahead of the upcoming domestic season. Vihari had a change of heart after he was given assurance from Andhra Pradesh's ruling party, Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) general secretary Nara Lokesh.
Earlier this month, the Andhra Cricket Association granted Vihari his no-objection certificate to play for Madhya Pradesh. Vihari had taken the decision after making his grievances public upon completion of Andhra's Ranji Trophy 2023-24 campaign. In addition to being "humiliated and embarrassed', Vihari also alleged that the reason behind him relinquishing captaincy was "political interference".
The 30-year-old on June 24 met TDP officials before deciding to rejoin the state association.
"I'm so happy to meet minister Nara Lokesh gaaru today, and he assured me that I will have full support coming back to Andhra Cricket Association," Vihari told reporters as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. "I am so happy meeting him, and I have got full assurance after meeting him. I understand his aspirations for the Andhra Cricket Association.
"It's good to be back in Andhra cricket. What I faced in the last couple of years was a lot of humiliation. I lost my self-respect. I wanted to leave Andhra Cricket Association and move to another state, but I've now got the assurance. So I am looking forward to coming back and serving Andhra for a long time to come."
While Vihari has made amends with Andhra, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) is not happy with Vihari going back on his word.
Recently, Vihari joined Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) franchise Madurai Panthers not as a player but mentor.
Vihari’s long absence from Test side
The veteran batter has fallen out of favour with Indian selectors. He has not played a Test since 2022 when India played England in the rescheduled fifth Test of the series at Edgbaston, Birmingham. In Rohit Sharma's absence, Cheteshwar Pujara opened whereas Vihari batted at no.3. He contributed with scores of 20 and 11 as India lost the match by seven wickets despite setting a target of 378.
Vihari hasn't got a long rope and with influx of new talent in the middle over, he is unlikely to get one any sooner. He has 839 runs from 16 Tests at an average of 33.56. He has scored one century and five half-centuries. However, his most memorable knock came against Australia in Sydney when he faced 161 balls from 23 balls despite injury to draw the Test.
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