MS Shanker
Can there be anything more bizarre than a man under the scanner for corruption writing a letter demanding justice for others? That’s exactly what Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) Joint Secretary T. Basavaraju has done.
Basavaraju—who is already facing heat after a parent accused his close aide of accepting a bribe for securing a spot in the three-day league team—has now written a sanctimonious letter to HCA President Jaganmohan Rao, demanding pending Club Development Funds and revival of health insurance for club officials. What makes this even more ironic is that Basavaraju, along with President Rao, Vice President Daljeet Singh, and Treasurer Sunil Agarwal, had cleared the controversial release of these very funds just 24 hours before the farcical Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) on June 29, without the knowledge or presence of HCA Secretary Devraj.
The AGM, too, rubber-stamped this backdoor decision, with each of the 136 affiliated clubs set to receive ₹5 lakh in two instalments. But questions abound: How did these four officials bypass the Secretary and convene a meeting in such haste? Why was there no transparency?
Basavaraju, who contested the elections as a representative of the Ameerpet Cricket Club, was previously the Secretary of the Commercial Tax Department cricket team. How did he suddenly become the Vice President of Ameerpet Playground? Doesn’t this club already belong to another person? Why didn’t other club secretaries question this at the time of the elections? His shifting affiliations deserve serious scrutiny—something his opponents have repeatedly demanded.
But the rot doesn’t stop there. Basavaraju continues to associate with Bhima Cricket Club Secretary Shankar, who stands accused of accepting ₹5 lakh from a parent in exchange for playing his son in the Cambridge team for a three-day match stretch. He allegedly collected similar amounts from other parents, though they have yet to come forward. This kind of cartelization of teams by a few greedy club secretaries is choking the system. Though the money was reportedly returned—after the parent lodged a complaint and made it public—the refund was oddly routed to the individual’s account, not the company account from which the amount was originally paid.
Despite assurances from Secretary Devraj that the issue would be investigated, there has been no follow-up or report filed with the State Vigilance Department, which has already indicted the HCA over the IPL tickets scam based on a complaint from Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Further complicating matters, Shankar—who allegedly operates Bhima Cricket Club as a benami front for Cambridge and even the defunct India Cements team—is also linked with one Iqbal, raising more red flags about fraudulent multi-club ownership and backdoor influence.
So why are law enforcement agencies turning a blind eye to these blatant violations?
Incredibly, the same Basavaraju who helped clear these controversial fund disbursals now postures as a crusader for clubs’ rights, demanding not just the current ₹5 lakh grant, but also arrears stretching back ten years. His letter, co-signed by Vice President Daljeet Singh and Councillor Sunil Agarwal, is now being circulated among club secretaries, falsely projecting him as a messiah of reform.
But let’s be clear: Why should any club—especially those with no passion for the sport—receive public funds merely for existing? Clubs that can’t sustain themselves or promote the game in their locality should not be rewarded with Development Funds. Many of these so-called “clubs” are ghost entities, floated solely to siphon off money, without any intention of nurturing grassroots cricket. If this is not a criminal act, as per the new laws, then what else can be.
The HCA has become a den of greed, hijacked by former cricketers-turned-administrators and power brokers. Instead of reforming the system, they are deepening the rot. Most of the institutional clubs are now controlled by a nexus of ex-players and their henchmen using benami names to manipulate elections, team selections, and finances.
This cancerous corruption could be tackled overnight if the authorities simply acted. A Supreme Court-appointed ombudsman, Justice Nageswara Rao, had already de-recognized 57 bogus clubs. He even directed the HCA apex council to weed out all entities involved in a conflict of interest. Yet some clubs were mysteriously spared—reportedly due to the influence of a former Test cricketer whose family member allegedly held key judicial position.
Today, the HCA is not a cricketing institution. It’s a cash cow for vested interests.
And what’s most shameful is the silence from the Centre, the Telangana state government, and even the judiciary. Despite repeated complaints from stakeholders, everyone is watching Hyderabad cricket collapse into ruin from the sidelines.
Still, I hold out hope—hope that a few upright individuals within these institutions will find the courage to act. Until then, this rot will continue unchecked.
Full text of the letter by Joint Secretary Basavaraju to the President (highlighted as another ploy to drain HCA funds):
To: President / Secretary
Hyderabad Cricket Association
Subject: URGENT – Action Required on Club Development Funds and Health Insurance for Club Secretaries
Concerning the AGM minutes and the letter/email dated 10th November 2024, we wish to draw your urgent attention to two critical matters:
- Club Development Funds:
During the Annual General Meeting held on 18th February 2024, it was resolved that development funds would be allocated to clubs for the advancement of cricket. However, records show that several clubs have been waiting for these funds for over a decade. Immediate release of these long-overdue funds is essential and non-negotiable. - Health Insurance for Club Officials:
Previously, HCA had provided health insurance coverage for its members. This facility has been discontinued without explanation. We demand that this welfare measure be revived and implemented with transparency.
We also insist on a clear, time-bound process for fund disbursal to restore credibility and avoid misuse.
Yours sincerely,
Saradar Daljeet Singh, Vice President
T. Basavaraju, Joint Secretary
Sunil Kumar Agarwal, Councillor
Hyderabad Cricket Association
Rider: This letter is not just another complaint. It is a reminder that despite the decay, there are still people who care about cricket in Hyderabad. And until justice is done, this campaign will not stop.
