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India Test batter Hanuma Vihari has now returned to Andhra Pradesh ahead of upcoming 2022-23 domestic season. After two years of hiatus, 28-year-old has quit his home state Hyderabad team and moved back to Andhra Pradesh following a change of dispensation in the Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association.
According to fresh reports, ACA management has requested the Indian Test batter to come back, where he promptly agreed. Reportedly, Hyderabad Cricket Association has issued him a mandatory No Objection Certificate on the batter's request. Notably, Vihari played for Andhra Pradesh between 2017 and 2020 before representing home state for seven seasons, from 2010 to 2016.
Report published in Cricbuzz confirmed the development and claimed that Hanuma Vihari will represent Andhra Pradesh in the upcoming domestic season. The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) President Mohammad Azharuddin was quoted in Cricbuzz report stating that Vihari has requested for NOC. On being asked why HCA didn't stop from moving away to the state, Azharuddin claimed, "If any player applies for the No Objection Certificate which means he doesn't want to play for the Association."
Earlier, Vihari was quoted by SPORTSTAR stating that he is has some fond memories with Andhra Pradesh and wants to help the state to do well in upcoming domestic season. "There is not specific reason, but I have good memories with Andhra Pradesh and be part of something really significant in the Ranji campaign,” Vihari said.
Vihari who has played for 16 Test and has scored 889 runs at an average of 33.56 including a century had claimed that he will keep working hard to be consistent at the highest level. Vihari has an unbeaten 302 as the highest first-class score playing for Andhra Pradesh, which had come against Odisha in the 2017-18 season.
Talking about his stint with Hydrabad, Vihari played one match in last Ranji season against Chandigarh and scored 59 and 106.