Hyderabad: Cricketer Hanuma Vihari’s announcement to exit the Andhra Cricket Affiliation (ACA) has put the ruling Telugu Desam Social gathering (TDP) on a sticky wicket—very like his earlier declaration to depart had carried out for the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Social gathering (YSRCP) throughout its tenure final 12 months.

Vihari had vowed “by no means to play once more” for the Andhra Ranji workforce, alleging political interference in cricket, a couple of 12 months and a half in the past. The assertion had stirred a storm in sports activities circles, and brought political and caste colors within the poll-bound state again then. Vihari had, nevertheless, returned to Andhra cricket quickly after the regime modified within the state in June 2024.

“Whereas I’m grateful to the Andhra Cricket Affiliation for the function they’ve performed in my journey to date, I consider it’s time for a platform that aligns higher with my aspirations and permits me to contribute persistently throughout codecs,” Vihari, a right-handed batsman, wrote.

New Chapter begins… pic.twitter.com/ufBxmxA8vU

— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) August 26, 2025

With the tables turned in Andhra, the YSRCP is now accusing ACA underneath the TDP of denying the favored Telugu cricketer alternatives and forcing out his exit.

“Extreme allegations, accusations have been made earlier in opposition to Jagan authorities concerning the identical Hanuma Vihari difficulty. Now, the Andhra Cricket Affiliation is totally underneath the management of TDP folks. So, who triggered Vihari to really feel annoyed? Who has denied him alternatives?” the celebration posted on X Tuesday.

The YSRCP demanded the ruling aspect’s response “to Vihari’s allegations that regardless of his functionality, he’s not getting alternatives right here”.

“Who’s accountable right here… ACA president, TDP MP Kesineni Chinni, or its secretary, one other TDP MP Sana Sathish?” requested the celebration.

Whereas Sarath Chandra Reddy, an accused within the Delhi “liquor rip-off” and shut relative of former YSRCP MP Vijaysai Reddy, was presiding over the ACA throughout Jagan’s tenure, the state cricket physique’s president now’s TDP’s Vijayawada MP Sivanath alias Chinni. Sana is TDP’s Rajya Sabha MP and the honorary secretary of ACA.

On social media, Sivanath claimed that “underneath the current authorities & Andhra Cricket Affiliation, cricket in AP is free from interference—solely expertise & alternative matter”.

“Previously, politics overshadowed Andhra cricket & even gamers voiced their ache…
Hanuma Vihari’s earlier tweets mirror the distinction. His transfer now reveals gamers are free to pursue higher possibilities. We want him success, whereas persevering with to again new and upcoming AP expertise,” acknowledged the ACA chief on X Wednesday, posting a collage of Vihari’s exit posts of February 2024 and Tuesday.

Vihari didn’t reply to ThePrint’s calls and messages in search of his response on the topic.

Nonetheless, chatting with The Indian Categorical this week, the cricketer claimed he “didn’t get the due respect he deserved” and cited denial of a berth within the Andhra workforce for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as the explanation behind his choice to modify groups.

“Final 12 months, when Andhra determined to not play me… if there are higher choices than (me) it’s positive, however when they don’t seem to be there and nonetheless I’m not a part of the aspect for the final two years… I’ve stayed for the Andhra aspect and gamers in it; someplace, I felt I didn’t get the due respect I deserve,” the cricketer was quoted as saying.

“The ACA knowledgeable me about their choice to strive youthful gamers. I really feel I can nonetheless play three codecs, so, after I bought a possibility from one other place, I wished to present it a strive,” he added.

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Additionally Learn: ‘Won’t ever play for Andhra once more’ — cricketer Hanuma Vihari’s allegations set off political storm

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Exit & return final 12 months

In February 2024, weeks after stepping down from the Andhra Ranji workforce, Vihari had complained of humiliation by the ACA, then underneath the YSRCP. The TDP, then within the opposition, had rallied in help of the Telugu cricketer, slamming Jagan Mohan Reddy’s celebration for “vindictive politics” and “henchmen” within the cricket physique.

Stating that he was appalled by the celebrated cricketer’s exit from Andhra cricket “as a result of ruling celebration’s political interference”, TDP basic secretary Nara Lokesh had invited Vihari to “come again to play for Andhra Pradesh in two months’ time”.

“We’ll roll out the pink carpet for him and the workforce, and supply each help wanted to win the Ranji Trophy the subsequent time round,” the TDP scion had stated on X, including #WeStandWithHanuma.

Vihari returned to Andhra cricket after assembly Lokesh, additionally the IT and human assets minister within the state, days after the regime modified in June final 12 months.

Whereas claiming “Lokesh assured full help”, Vihari in a video message had cheerfully stated it feels “good to be again in Andhra Cricket”.

“I sit up for the success of Andhra Cricket. I wish to be a part of it,” stated Vihari, finest recognized for his gallant defence at SCG in opposition to Australia in 2021 and series-topping 289 runs in opposition to the West Indies in 2019.

Notably, Vihari met with Lokesh final month too, as revealed by the cricketer himself on X with an image.

Vihari as captain of Amaravathi Royals within the Andhra Premier League 2025 was topped participant of the match final weekend as he scored 299 runs with a median of 59.80 and 148 strike price. The Amaravati Royals, nevertheless, misplaced to the Tungabhadra Warriors within the finals.

(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)

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Additionally Learn: How Andhra CM Jagan & rival Naidu are attempting to get divinity on their aspect forward of meeting polls

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