Hanuma Vihari has shifted his domestic base from Andhra to Tripura ahead of the 2025-26 season, marking a decisive move for the veteran India batter.
The Tripura Cricket Association has confirmed him as one of their three professionals for the upcoming campaign, after he formally sought a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Andhra Cricket Association.
His decision arises from the belief that he still has the calibre to perform across formats. Andhra’s preference for younger cricketers in T20s had even pushed Vihari to skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy last season. Tripura, however, extended an early offer, which he accepted to reinvent himself while adding his vast experience to an “upcoming team” determined to make an impact at higher levels.
“I was keen on other opportunities since I believe I’m good enough to play all three formats. Andhra made it clear they were looking at youngsters for the T20 format. That was why I decided it didn’t make sense playing even the 50-over format, so I sat out of the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well. I also wanted to play in a new environment,” Vihari told ESPNCricinfo.
“For the last two seasons, I’d been talking of going out [he’d been in talks with Madhya Pradesh], but I stayed back. I felt given the circumstances around me, and also where my own cricket is at, this was the best time to sign with an upcoming team. This year they approached me first, and I felt it’ll be a challenge worth taking up,” Vihari added.
Hanuma Vihari’s career in brief
Vihari’s numbers underline his stature in domestic cricket. In 131 first-class games, he has piled up 9,585 runs at a commanding average of 49.92, with a career-best of 302 not out. His List A record is equally strong, tallying 3,506 runs at 41.73, while in the shortest format he has chipped in with 1,707 runs at 21.88.
Internationally, Vihari has featured in 16 Test matches for India between 2018 and 2022, scoring 839 runs at an average of 33.56. He last donned the national colours in the rescheduled fifth Test against England at Egbaston in Birmingham where he got scores of 20 and 11.