Raipur
Win Projections to be updated soon
Earlier this month, Vihari finally obtained a long-awaited no-objection certificate from the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) after a public feud following their 2023-24 Ranji Trophy campaign. Vihari had expressed feeling “humiliated and embarrassed” by certain factions within the association and cited “political interference” as a reason for stepping down as captain at the season’s start.
On Monday, Vihari met with TDP officials before finalizing his return.
“I am delighted to have met Minister Nara Lokesh gaaru [TDP general secretary] today, and he has assured me of full support in my return to the Andhra Cricket Association,” Vihari told reporters. “I am happy to have met him and received this assurance. I appreciate his vision for the Andhra Cricket Association.
“It feels good to be back in Andhra cricket. The past few years have been challenging, and I lost my sense of self-worth. I had considered leaving the Andhra Cricket Association for another state, but now with this assurance, I look forward to returning and serving Andhra for the foreseeable future.”
Vihari’s decision to return has upset the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), as they were not informed of the development. Vihari was in discussions to play for Madhya Pradesh last year as well, but the deal fell through without any specific reasons given.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Vihari had a contract in place with MPCA after discussions with Chandrakant Pandit, MPCA’s director of cricket.
At 30 years old, Vihari last played a Test in July 2022, scoring 839 runs at an average of 33.56 for India, with his only century in the West Indies in 2019.
Starting his career with Hyderabad in 2010-11, Vihari moved to Andhra in 2015-16, briefly returned to Hyderabad before the 2021-22 season, and then moved back to Andhra.
