A Forgotten Keeper’s Grief, and a Game in Ruins
MS Shanker
In my ongoing journey to uncover the root causes of Hyderabad cricket’s freefall—and more importantly, to spotlight voices that offer serious, constructive solutions—I caught up this week with a voice not often heard, but one that certainly deserves to be. Meet Youraj Singh, now 57, a quiet performer from the 1990s and early 2000s who donned the state colours with pride.
Statistically, Youraj’s career may not leap off the page. In 64 first-class matches, he batted in 84 innings, remained not out 12 times, and averaged 15.94. In 25 List A games, he fared slightly better, averaging 24. As a wicketkeeper, he effected 134 catches and 15 stumpings in first-class cricket. But numbers rarely tell the whole story. To stay relevant for nearly a decade in Hyderabad’s Ranji squad—especially during an era brimming with talent—is no small feat.
Youraj’s cricketing journey began on familiar turf—All Saints High School, alma mater of legends like Mohammad Azharuddin and Khalid Abdul Kaleem. From there, he led Nizam College, a cricket powerhouse that had a young CV Anand (now City Police Commissioner) and cricket-turned-celebrity politician Asaduddin Owaisi, among its players. The early promise was evident: he played for Hyderabad at the U-15 and U-19 levels, before climbing into the Ranji squad.
As a wicket-keeper batsman, he made his debut in 1992 against Tamil Nadu, claiming six catches. Backed by stalwarts like Kanwaljit Singh, Venkatapathy Raju, and the ever-encouraging ML Jaisimha as coach, Youraj grew into a dependable team player. He fondly recalls those days, not because of accolades, but for the camaraderie, respect, and structure the system once offered.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/how-to-revive-hyderabad-cricket-part-xvii/
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/how-to-revive-hyderabad-cricket-part-xvii/
But fast-forward to today, and he’s anguished. “What’s happening now is nothing short of systematic destruction,” he says with visible frustration. “There is no real league structure anymore. How can anyone expect young cricketers to showcase their talent without a functioning league?”
His assessment of the rot runs deep—a hollow league calendar, selectors appointed at the eleventh hour, biased selections limited to elite clubs, and a bizarre obsession with hiring external coaches while ignoring local, certified, and talented coaches with Level 2 and Level 3 credentials.
Youraj had a stint as a selector and coach for four seasons, starting with the U-19 team and later moving on to the senior side. “During our time as selectors, we would travel, watch matches, and identify talented players with the potential to represent the state,” he recalls.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/how-to-revive-hyderabad-cricket-part-xv/
Compare that to today’s setup: hastily appointed selectors, no time to assess players, no matches to observe, and selections made out of convenience or compulsion. “It’s a fraud,” he says bluntly. “A betrayal of the game itself.”
‘Outsourcing’ Coaches – A Farce?
Another sore point: the hiring of coaches from outside the state. “Why do we need outsiders when we have well-qualified coaches here? This isn’t just unfair—it’s insulting.” According to Youraj, Hyderabad’s coaching talent remains untapped, sidelined in favour of ‘names’ who bring little knowledge of local conditions or player psyche.
For Hyderabad to rise again, Youraj insists on impartial and qualified selectors, proper planning of league fixtures, and empowering the Cricket Academy of Excellence, which currently exists in name more than function. The Academy, he says, must be restructured to work in sync with state selectors and coaches, not remain a vanity project for officials.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/how-to-revive-hyderabad-cricket-part-xv/
His suggestions are both pragmatic and passionate:
- Satellite Academies across Telangana to decentralize talent scouting.
- A fleet of vehicles for players to travel to distant venues.
- Coordination with Telangana State Sports Authority to access and develop grounds for league matches.
- Reclaiming historic venues like Parade Grounds, where up to 12 matches can be played simultaneously, and tapping Army facilities like Thapar Stadium (AOC) and Artillery Ground (Golconda) with modest rental agreements.
- Meticulous scheduling: With excellent road connectivity, travel time to most districts is just 2–3 hours. There’s no excuse not to bring talent from remote corners into the system.
Youraj Singh may not have had a glamorous career, but he speaks with rare clarity and honesty. He’s not jostling for a post. He’s not bitter. He’s just heartbroken to see a system that once nurtured raw talent now reduced to a bureaucratic farce.
In his quiet way, he echoes the sentiments of many unsung Hyderabad heroes—players who weren’t headline-makers but held the fabric of the game together. For administrators who still have a conscience, these voices must not be ignored.
