IPL 2024 Auction: The upcoming mini-auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, scheduled for December 19th in Dubai, is generating significant buzz in the cricketing world. The auction promises to be particularly exciting, following the ODI World Cup 2023 in India, where numerous players left a lasting impression. Franchises are expected to place substantial bids to include these standout performers in their teams.
However, amidst this fervor, there’s a tale of an Indian player who seems to be at a crossroads in his career. Once a part of Team India, this player has not only been overlooked by the national team but also seems to have lost favor with IPL franchises. At just 30 years old, he stands at a point where retirement could be an unexpected yet imminent decision.
IPL 2024 Auction: Many cricketers have leveraged their IPL performances to gain entry into Team India. Recent examples include Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, and Mukesh Kumar. Yet, the player in question here, Hanuma Vihari, has faced a starkly different trajectory. Vihari, who last appeared in an IPL match in 2019, has since been unable to secure a spot in any IPL team.
The 2020 auction was particularly telling for Vihari. Despite entering with a base price of Rs 50 lakh, he failed to attract any bids from the franchises. His IPL record, featuring just 284 runs across 24 matches, might have contributed to this lack of interest.
IPL 2024 Auction: In domestic cricket, Hanuma Vihari leads Andhra Pradesh and boasts impressive first-class cricket statistics. However, these achievements haven’t translated into opportunities with Team India. Vihari’s first-class career is distinguished, with 8803 runs in 190 innings of 116 matches, averaging an impressive 52.71. This record includes 23 centuries and 46 half-centuries. Additionally, Vihari has represented India in 16 test matches, scoring 889 runs, which includes 5 half-centuries and a century.
Despite such commendable performances, Vihari’s continuous exclusion from both the national team and IPL squads is perplexing. With repeated rejections and an uncertain future in the sport, Hanuma Vihari might be contemplating an early retirement, a decision that, while shocking to some, could be a sobering reflection of the challenges and unpredictability faced by professional athletes.
Image Credit – swagcricket
