MS Shanker
Just when one thought the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) couldn’t sink any deeper, comes a fresh controversy — this time from the women’s state teams. After the storm over biased selections in the men’s Under-19 and Under-23 squads, parents and former players are now up in arms over alleged corruption, favoritism, and nepotism in the women’s selection process.
For an association already battling an image crisis, these latest revelations expose how the rot has spread across every level of Hyderabad cricket. Despite the Telangana High Court appointing Justice Naveen Rao to oversee the HCA’s functioning, his limited “supervisory” role has left room for the truncated three-member Apex Council to continue its manipulative practices unchecked.
Former women cricketers who once proudly represented the state — and even the country — are now speaking out. They allege that the selection process for the women’s Under-16 and Under-19 teams has been blatantly skewed in favour of Hyderabad-based players.
Unlike the earlier, fairer system that ensured equal representation from all districts, the new format reportedly restricts selections to one district team of just 15 players. In sharp contrast, the city-based Hyderabad zone fielded as many as five teams — giving over a hundred players a shot at selection.
“There are no opportunities for Level 1 or 2 coaching training in the districts. Nor are there chances for district girls to represent big institutions like Railways, thus depriving them of a pathway to the State team,” alleged one former player. “If that is the case, how can boys and girls from the districts ever shine? The HCA’s neglect of grassroots cricket, despite receiving huge grants for game development, only shows where the money is really going — into the pockets of Apex Council members.”
“Such discrepancies are glaring and unacceptable,” said another former state player. “Is the HCA interested only in Hyderabad city? What about the 30 other districts where immense talent remains untapped?”
Another former cricketer revealed: “The present selection committee consists of three coaches who have done everything possible to secure positions as HCA coaches. In the 2024–25 season, Suvarna Laxmi and Harsha Harinarayana served as Under-19 coaches, while Keerthana coached another HCA side. As of now, the HCA women’s teams have no qualified coaches. This year, young, talented, and promising cricketers are at stake — with a new set of women appointed as coaches who have never served in that capacity before. It’s turning into a nightmare for women’s cricket in Hyderabad.”
“The idea of converting coaches into selectors,” she added, “came from a former female Apex Council member who was disqualified by a one-man committee for conflict of interest. She and her husband own clubs, while their daughter, Vanka Pooja, currently represents HCA in BCCI tournaments. The entire game — shifting coaches into selectors — was done purely to favour her daughter and ensure her continued presence in the team.”
“Parents have complained that if Vanka Pooja is included in the team, she behaves with a sense of dominance — as if nobody can drop her even if she scores a zero,” alleged another insider. “It’s evident that her mother wants to maintain her influence in HCA through her loyal circle, ensuring her daughter’s inclusion every year. It’s driven by self-interest, not by any genuine intent to revive women’s cricket in Hyderabad.”
The allegations don’t end there. Several insiders claim that even the selectors themselves were handpicked by the same power brokers who have long controlled the HCA’s inner workings. “Selections today are not about merit but money and influence,” said another former cricketer. “Parents have complained publicly, some have even approached the courts and police, but the officials remain unmoved.”
The results speak for themselves. The women’s state team has reportedly won just one of the six matches this season, suffering humiliating defeats and internal chaos. Some parents have also accused the team management of unprofessional behaviour and even physical altercations during tournaments — a shocking fall from grace for a state that once produced disciplined, competitive squads.
Aggrieved parents have now filed complaints with both Justice Naveen Rao’s supervisory committee and the BCCI, demanding intervention. But the big question remains: who is accountable? How did things deteriorate this far despite the High Court’s oversight?
As highlighted earlier in this column, Justice Naveen Rao’s limited mandate has tied his hands. Without full administrative powers, he can only monitor — not reform — the HCA. What’s needed now is decisive action either by the Telangana High Court or the BCCI itself to dissolve this discredited Apex Council and appoint an empowered administrator to clean up the mess.
Unless the rot is surgically removed, Hyderabad cricket — men’s and women’s alike — will continue to lurch from one embarrassment to another. The state’s talent deserves better than a handful of corrupt officials playing politics with their dreams.
