MS Shanker
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) is once again in the news—this time over controversies surrounding the selection of state women’s cricket teams ahead of major upcoming tournaments. Allegations of opaque practices, arbitrary decision-making, and even hints of a “pay-to-play” culture have raised serious concerns about transparency and integrity in the process.
One practice drawing sharp criticism is the alleged restriction of aspiring players to trials involving just 5–6 deliveries. Critics have questioned whether such a truncated assessment can truly evaluate a cricketer’s ability. “How can a handful of balls justify testing a player’s skill? What if the selectors manipulate the process—for instance, asking a weak bowler to bowl to a favoured batter, or a strong bowler to test a less-favoured one?” argued some observers, who see this as leaving ample room for bias or even manipulation.
For the 2025–26 season, the women’s selection panel was initially chaired by N. Sunitha Anand, appointed by the truncated apex council of the HCA, which is currently led by Acting President Sardar Daljit Singh and Joint Secretary Basavaraju. The appointments carried the endorsement of the High Court-appointed supervisory committee under Justice P. Naveen Rao, which had earlier emphasised that team selections must be conducted in a fair, transparent, and merit-based manner.
The situation escalated when Sunitha Anand was suddenly removed from her position and replaced by M. Keerthana—reportedly under the direction of Basavaraju. Critics argue this move bypassed Justice Rao’s supervisory authority, whose powers over such appointments were clarified only after the High Court dismissed a petition filed by Basavaraju challenging Rao’s appointment. The dismissal effectively strengthened Rao’s mandate to oversee HCA’s selection processes.
Basavaraju has been a controversial figure within the apex council, having faced past scrutiny for backing HCA insiders allegedly involved in financial irregularities. One prominent case involved a club secretary accused of collecting money from a parent inappropriately—a matter temporarily put on hold due to the arrest and subsequent bail of senior HCA officials, including the Secretary. These incidents have fuelled concerns about governance standards and the council’s decision-making.
Despite the administrative turmoil, the state women’s teams have already begun practice matches in Hyderabad in preparation for tournaments scheduled within ten days. However, coaching appointments remain pending, adding to worries that leadership gaps could affect the teams’ performance and morale. Cricket insiders argue that any further delays could undermine the teams’ preparation for crucial competitions.
Legal and cricket observers now look to Justice Rao to exercise decisive oversight. With the High Court having clarified his powers, Rao could issue directives to ensure that selections are conducted on merit, free from interference. Experts also suggest he may seek formal guidance from the High Court to reinforce his authority and shield future decisions from potential challenges.
As the tournaments approach, all eyes are on Rao. His intervention could not only safeguard the integrity of the selection process but also send a clear message that transparency and accountability are non-negotiable in Hyderabad cricket. The coming days may prove crucial in determining whether HCA can finally move beyond internal conflicts and focus on building strong, competitive women’s teams. The state women’s teams could serve as the best test case for this transformation.
