Guruva Reddy Dharam
India’s most beloved sport now faces a constitutional question in Telangana. When institutions that govern cricket defy the very laws that give them legitimacy, it ceases to be a sporting issue — it becomes a matter of justice. And given the prolonged violations by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) and the inertia of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), intervention by the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Union Home Minister now appears inevitable.
“The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience.” – Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
“A Constitution means nothing unless people yearn for liberty.” – Justice DY. Chandrachud
These words remind us that law and governance derive meaning only when they serve people, not privilege. Unfortunately, Telangana’s cricketing landscape has become an example of how institutions can twist both.
A Decade of Neglect
The recognition of the Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) is not just an administrative matter — it is an act of constitutional justice. It represents equality, fair play, and opportunity for millions of young cricketers across the State who have long been denied a level playing field.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/clarity-courage-cricket-precision-meets-passion-at-tca/
For more than a decade, TCA has worked tirelessly to build infrastructure, conduct district-level tournaments, hold coaching programmes, and scout grassroots talent across all 33 districts. It remains the only body active outside Hyderabad — the true voice of rural and semi-urban cricket in Telangana. Yet, despite clear legal standing, constitutional legitimacy, and even a formal directive from BCCI in 2021, TCA continues to wait for recognition.
The 2021 BCCI Order — Defied and Forgotten
On July 11, 2021, BCCI directed HCA to collaborate with TCA and ensure that cricketing activities outside Hyderabad were managed by TCA within six months. Four years later, that directive remains unimplemented. Neither HCA nor BCCI has acted. Thousands of young cricketers across Telangana’s districts are deprived of their constitutional right to fair representation and opportunity.
The issue now lies before the Bombay High Court (W.P. No. 3678/2023), where TCA has challenged HCA’s continued non-compliance and sought either derecognition of HCA or enforcement of BCCI’s 2021 directive in accordance with its Constitution, specifically Rules 3(b) and 3(d).
Justice Lodha Committee & Telangana’s Status
The Justice R.M. Lodha Committee had merged the ‘Future Member’ category into Associate Membership. When BCCI’s constitution was finalised, the Committee recommended that it be a full State member. Today, Telangana is listed in the Full Member category — meaning there should be a State-level body covering the entire State with prescribed qualifications. HCA, however, continues to play the State role without approval from either the Lodha Committee or the Supreme Court. In fact, HCA is not listed under any BCCI membership category even today — a glaring example of how discretionary powers are misused.
Legal Mandate Is Unambiguous
The BCCI Constitution, approved by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 4235/2014, mandates inclusive representation for every State and region. The Lodha Committee reforms explicitly stated:
“No player or citizen of a State shall be denied the opportunity to represent their region or State due to the misconduct of an existing Member Association. The BCCI must act as Parens Patriae of Indian cricket.”
By every yardstick, TCA qualifies for recognition. HCA, disqualified since 2018, has repeatedly failed to comply with judicial orders and BCCI’s constitutional mandates.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/rural-cricket-on-a-global-wicket-my-fight-for-fair-play-in-telangana/
HCA’s Monopoly and Corruption Trail
HCA’s jurisdiction is confined entirely to Hyderabad city, leaving nearly 85% of Telangana’s geography and four crore citizens unrepresented in organised cricket. Its record is marred by corruption and defiance. Over the last 15 years, successive office-bearers of HCA have faced ACB, ED, and CID probes for financial irregularities. Even multiple High Court–appointed Supervisory Committees, including one led by Justice Naveen Rao, have been openly ignored. Cricket in Telangana has been hijacked by a coterie of power brokers, reducing a sport once driven by passion into a theatre of politics, corruption, and personal gain.
Precedent Is Clear — BCCI Must Act
The BCCI’s own precedents demolish any excuse for delay. States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Chandigarh have multiple recognised associations. Newly formed entities such as Uttarakhand, Puducherry, and Mizoram were swiftly granted membership. Telangana, identified among six “Future Members” under Lodha reforms and initially placed under Associate Membership, remains the only State without proper representation. HCA continues to masquerade as the State body, while the genuine TCA remains in limbo.
Beyond Cricket — A Constitutional Test
This controversy is no longer about administration; it is about fairness and rights. By denying recognition to TCA, BCCI has effectively violated the fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of aspiring cricketers — equality and the right to pursue one’s livelihood. Governance in sport must embody transparency and impartiality, not political proximity or selective favouritism.
A Call for Action
TCA’s demands are simple and just:
- Recognise TCA as the rightful governing body for cricket outside Hyderabad, or enforce BCCI’s 2021 directive restricting HCA’s jurisdiction to the city.
- Establish a monitoring mechanism to ensure transparency, compliance, and accountability in Telangana cricket administration.
Restoring the Spirit of the Game
The clash between HCA’s monopoly and TCA’s legitimacy is now more than a cricketing feud — it is a test of whether Indian cricket’s institutions can still uphold the values of fair play, equality, and constitutional integrity. If BCCI fails to act, it will not just betray Telangana’s cricketers; it will betray the very spirit of the game and the constitutional ideals it claims to represent. (The author is Secretary, Telangana Cricket Association)
