Visakhapatnam: A public spat between cricketer Hanuma Vihari and the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has sparked controversy and garnered support for the player from fans and politicians.
Vihari, who represented India in 16 Tests, recently announced his decision to sever ties with the Andhra team, alleging abuse and injustice by the ACA.
The move came after a public spat in which Vihari accused the association of orchestrating his removal as captain and pressuring him to resign citing political interference.
Mr. Bihari's claims have received wide support, especially on social media. The hashtag #WeStandWithHanuma trended in India, with celebrities including former prime minister Nala Chandrababu Naidu and actor and politician Pawan Kalyan expressing solidarity with the cricketer.
Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan criticized the ACA's handling of the situation and questioned whether the influence of political leaders should outweigh the contributions of domestic cricketers. Kalyan expressed disappointment with his treatment of Vihari and stressed the need for respect for athletes who have dedicated themselves to the sport.
Meanwhile, the ACA announced an investigation into the allegations raised by Mr. Vihari. However, the association refuted Mr. Vihari's claims and said his resignation as captain was a result of professional considerations and not political interference.
The newspaper cited instances of alleged misconduct by Mr. Bihari and said it had received such complaints from various quarters.
Commenting on the captaincy change, ACA said the proposal was made as Vihari's status as an Indian candidate player would affect his availability during the season. Ricky Bui was then announced as the new captain by the senior selection committee.
However, Vihari's claims have sparked a debate in the Andhra Pradesh cricket community, and the ACA has also regularly requested a no-objection certificate (NOC) for Vihari to be transferred to a team from another state, but the decision was subsequently made. He is accused of subverting the
The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) condemned the politicization of cricket. He emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of sports. They emphasized adherence to rules and regulations and a dedication to fostering respect and fairness.
The ACA expressed regret over Vihari's accusations and said that although there may be differences of opinion, the matter is being dealt with fairly. In response to Mr. Bihari's criticism on social media, the ACA revealed his history of requesting a transfer and accused him of making false claims.
The ACA also expressed dismay at the politicization of cricket and called for the focus to be on the facts rather than allegations on social media.
