Indian cricketer Hanuma Vihari, who has represented his country in 16 Test matches, is set to move from Andhra Pradesh to Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket. Vihari, who has been out of the Indian team since last year, was dropped after the postponed fifth Test match against England at Edgbaston.
As per a report on ESPNCricinfo, Vihari’s move is contingent upon receiving a No Objection Certificate from his current employers, the Andhra Cricket Association. The 29-year-old will join Madhya Pradesh as one of two professionals in the team.
During his Test career, Vihari has scored 839 runs with an average of 33.56. Despite his potential, he hasn’t received consistent opportunities to represent India. Furthermore, he was not included in the BCCI’s central contract list earlier this year.
Currently, Vihari is leading the South Zone team in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2023. His addition to the Madhya Pradesh middle-order, which already boasts talented players like Rajat Patidar, Venkatesh Iyer, and Shubham Sharma, will further strengthen the team.
According to the report, Vihari has expressed a desire to play under Chandrakant Pandit, a renowned coach in domestic cricket who has won the Ranji Trophy with Mumbai, Vidarbha, and Madhya Pradesh.
Having scored 8600 runs in 113 first-class matches at an impressive average of 53.41, including 23 centuries and 45 half-centuries, Vihari brings significant experience to the team. Despite a somewhat disappointing performance in the last Ranji Trophy season, where he scored 490 runs in 14 innings, his determined half-century with a fractured right arm in the quarterfinals against Madhya Pradesh garnered attention.
During a JioCinema chat, Vihari expressed his dedication to the game, saying, “When I said that I wanted to bat, the physio told me ten times that my career might be jeopardised if I am hit on the hand again while batting.” I told the physio that it’s fine if I don’t play cricket after this match, but if I give up for Andhra in this match, it would be with me forever.”