Manohar calls out decay and demands a clean-up
MS Shanker
In my continued quest to uncover ways to restore Hyderabad cricket to its rightful place in Indian cricket, I have been engaging with former players—those who may not have made headlines but whose connection to the game is rooted deep in legacy, values, and sincerity. One such voice belongs to Vishwanath Manohar, a former state-level cricketer, coach, selector and banker, now based in New Zealand.
Manohar’s cricketing roots run deep. He comes from a family steeped in Hyderabad’s rich cricketing tradition. His granduncle & mentor, the late AR Bhupathi, was a respected coach and a former state player who helped shape several generations of cricketers. Alongside another Hyderabad coaching legend, E Aibara, Bhupathi formed a pillar of discipline, commitment, and excellence in the game’s coaching legacy in the region.
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Manohar admits modestly. “I played my part in a team that was competitive, disciplined, and respected.” The Ranji team of my era was very competitive, and finding a place was very challenging.
He represented Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy and was part of the winning team in 1986, and featured in the prestigious Irani Trophy clash against the Rest of India. The competition, he recalls, was intense and meritocratic.
A product of Hyderabad Schools and the Under-19 system, Progression went from there to U22, U25, and then Ranji Trophy. Manohar played for star-studded Andhra Bank, one of the premier A Division clubs at the time. But his story, like many in this series, is not so much about his playing days as it is about his continuing concern for Hyderabad cricket—even from faraway New Zealand.
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Also read: https://orangenews9.com/how-to-revive-hyderabad-cricket-part-xv/
After playing days, he was the coach of the Hyderabad Ranji Team for 2 seasons and subsequently became the Ranji selector for 3 seasons before migrating overseas.
Despite settling abroad for professional reasons, Manohar has never lost touch with Hyderabad cricket. What he hears now deeply pains him. “It’s tragic that Hyderabad cricket is in the news for all the wrong reasons. “The administrators seem to have betrayed the very system that made them.”
“HCA once commanded respect; today, it’s synonymous with greed, groupism, and politics,” Manohar says bluntly.
The fall, he notes, is evident in the fact that Hyderabad now routinely loses to teams from states that were once cricketing backwaters.
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He slams the “pay-to-play” culture that has taken deep root. “Talented boys are being replaced by those who can afford to pay. It’s in a way killing the spirit of the game.”
Looking ahead, he insists that real revival lies in nurturing grassroots talent. “You spot future stars when they’re 12 or 14, not when they’re 22 and manipulated into teams.” He calls for a rejuvenated State Cricket Academy, regular outstation exposure tours for promising players, and revival of programs like “Hyderabad Blues”—once an initiative where handpicked talent toured abroad for match experience.
Some suggestions going forward to revive Hyderabad Cricket (Men & Women Cricket);
- Administrators, a mix of cricketers/administrators with integrity, only purpose of benefiting cricket and cricketers. There should be accountability, transparency in all aspects, including cricket selections and financial management
- Clean the rot, and restructure everything from leagues to selections. Only then can this once-glorious cricket association begin to thrive again.”
- Ad hoc committee comprising past & present cricketers, administrators, umpires, journalists, etc to advise on league/s, age group cricket, and other formats
- Coaching and infrastructure development in the Districts. Give equal opportunities to boys and girls of districts; they deserve the same opportunities to those in cities.
- Revival of Hyderabad Cricket Academy and similar academies in the District/s.
- Prepare and finalize the annual cricket calendar at least 3/4 months before the season commences.
- Support and respect for former cricketers. Their experience should be utilised for promoting the game.
- We also need representation in BCCI, for that we need to clean the act at home and promote suitable administrators.
Manohar’s words echo the voices of many who have appeared in this series—deeply connected to Hyderabad cricket, heartbroken by its decline, but hopeful that a strong, uncompromising clean-up can still restore its pride.
The famous saying “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” expresses the idea that the possession of power, particularly unchecked power, can lead to moral decay.
