Renowned Telugu actor Pawan Kalyan has spoken strongly in support of India and Andhra batsman Hanuma Vihari, calling out the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) after the senior cricketer’s social media post shook Indian cricket.
On Monday, Hanuma Vihari said that he was told to resign as Andhra’s captain last month after the first round of matches in the Ranji Trophy 2024 season due to interference from a politician. Vihari said that he had scolded a player who turned out to be the son of a politician, and that politician put pressure on the ACA to sack Vihari as the captain.
“I was captain in the first game against Bengal, and during the game, I shouted at 17th player, and he complained to his dad (who is a politician),” Vihari wrote. “His dad in return asked the association to take action against me. Although we chased 410 against last year’s finalists Bengal [for a first-innings lead], I was asked to resign from captaincy without any fault of mine.”
Pawan Kalyan shows support to Hanuma Vihari
Famous Telugu actor Pawan Kalyan, who has over 5 million Twitter followers, made a lengthy post on this issue, giving his full support to Hanuma Vihari, who has at times put his body on the line to play for India and Andhra.
Pawan Kalyan tweeted: “Represented our ‘Bharath’ in 16 Test Matches, Scored 5 half Centuries & a Century, His Heroics in Sydney Test against Australia is unforgettable.
As Andhra Pradesh Ranji Team captain, helped Andhra Team to qualify for the knockouts 5 times in the last 7 years. From Playing with a fractured hand to an Injured Hamstring,
@Hanumavihari
always gave his everything for Bharath and for Andhra Pradesh in the domestic circuit.
And today, Andhra Cricket Association forced Vihari to resign from the captaincy just because a YCP Corporator wanted it. A Local YCP Politician with no cricket background is more valuable than an Indian Cricketer & Andhra Pradesh Ranji Team Captain to our Andhra Cricket Association. What a Shame!
Mr.Jagan Mohan Reddy, What is the point of spending crores of money in events like ‘Adudaam Andhra’ when the State Cricket Association humiliates and insults our Andhra Cricket Team Captain?
Dear @Hanumavihari garu, firstly you have been a Champion Player for the State and for the Nation. We thank you for your services and for inspiring young kids and players in Andhra. All Telugu Cricket Loving People feel pained and hurt with the treatment meted out to you by our State Association and We Stand with you.
Last but not the least, Wishing you the very best and I hope you will play for Andhra Again next year with a State Board that knows to respect and treat players with dignity.”
The ACA responded, saying that the decision to remove Vihari as the captain was taken by the chairman of the selection committee owing to “Vihari’s status as an India prospect affecting his season-long availability”.*
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