Hanuma Vihari Joins Tripura for 2025-26 Season, Eyes Playing All Formats

Indian middle-order batter Hanuma Vihari has signed a one-year contract with Tripura for the 2025-26 domestic season, marking a fresh chapter in his career. Vihari’s move comes after a tumultuous few years with his previous team, Andhra, and reflects his strong desire to play all three formats of the game regularly.

Vihari, who was recently named Player of the Tournament at the Andhra Premier League, secured a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) before finalising the transfer to Tripura. The contract is for one season initially, but can be extended with mutual agreement.

Why The Move?

Vihari openly spoke about the key reasons behind his decision. He believed he was still “good enough to play all three formats” but felt Andhra was prioritising young players, especially for the T20 format. Consequently, he decided not to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy representing Andhra, opting instead for a new environment where he can get consistent game time in all formats.

He said, “Andhra made it clear they were looking at youngsters for the T20 format, and it didn’t make sense for me even to play the 50-over format there. I also wanted to play in a new environment.”

Past Struggles With Andhra

Vihari’s departure draws a line under a difficult spell with Andhra cricket. In the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy campaign, a public spat with some factions in the Andhra Cricket Association left him feeling “humiliated and embarrassed.” He had alleged that political interference had affected his captaincy and overall treatment within the team.

Additionally, before the 2024-25 season, Vihari was in talks to join Madhya Pradesh for a second consecutive year. However, these plans were shelved after intervention from Nara Lokesh, Telugu Desam Party's general secretary, leading Vihari to remain with Andhra that year. This decision reportedly upset the MP Cricket Association.

What Vihari Hopes to Achieve at Tripura

Having joined an upcoming side, Vihari sees himself playing a key leadership role.

He said, “As a senior player, I’ll contribute whatever the team expects from me, from a leadership standpoint, whether I’m captain or not. Tripura have some decent players and a setup that is hungry to challenge bigger teams. I wanted to be part of that.”

Vihari’s intent is clear — to score "heaps of runs" and help build the team’s strength steadily over time.

Looking Ahead: Career and Form

It has been three years since Vihari played a Test match for India, but his hunger for runs has not waned. Instead of focusing on a comeback to international cricket just yet, he wants to focus on his domestic contributions.

Over the recent period away from India’s playing XI, Vihari has expanded his involvement in cricket as a regional commentator and coach and featured in the Tamil Nadu Premier League as part of Madurai Panthers.

He said, “My challenge is to take the team through. After 14-15 years of first-class cricket, I have plenty of experience to pass on. I want to score runs, important runs, and enjoy my cricket.”

Tripura’s Prospects

Tripura, traditionally a smaller team in Indian domestic cricket, will benefit from Vihari’s experience and ambition. Alongside other professionals, Tripura will compete in all three key domestic tournaments — Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy — looking to make strides in performances.

Hanuma Vihari’s Recent Highlights and Career Overview

Impact Of the Move On Domestic Cricket

Vihari’s signing with Tripura reflects a broader trend of experienced players shifting teams for more opportunities in India’s vast domestic landscape. These moves can rejuvenate careers and inject vital experience into emerging squads.