By Vinay Rao
Hyderabad cricket finds itself at a critical crossroads this week, with two contrasting performances offering both hope and concern. The Women’s U23 side has begun its campaign with discipline and confidence, securing back-to-back wins that reflect stability and structure. At the same time, the U19 boys, after a strong Vinoo Mankad season, slipped unexpectedly in the Cooch Behar Trophy, raising uncomfortable questions about consistency, selection logic, and the direction of junior cricket in the city.
The U19 setback against Jharkhand came as a surprise, especially considering the momentum the boys carried from an impressive limited-overs campaign. Batting first, Hyderabad posted 191—an innings that once again exposed a recurring issue: several batters got into the 30s but none converted their starts. Jharkhand’s Deepanshu Rawat exploited this vulnerability with a superb six-wicket haul, punishing loose shots and poor shot selection. Hyderabad’s bowlers fought back admirably, dismissing Jharkhand for 174. Yashveer led the charge with four wickets, supported by Rahul Karthikeya’s three and Thanmai’s two. Yet, the pattern repeated in the second innings: starts without substantial contributions, effort without application, fight without finish. A target of 202 was never likely to be enough in the absence of a decisive batting performance. Jharkhand chased it down through steady knocks from Tauhid, Vatshal, and Anmol, while Thanmai continued his good form with another three-wicket spell.
This defeat is not just about one match—it highlights a deeper problem in Hyderabad’s junior structure: losing matches in the fourth innings despite securing strong first-innings positions. Even more puzzling is the decision to alter a winning combination that succeeded against Baroda in the Vinoo Mankad campaign. This was the moment for continuity, not experimentation.
In stark contrast, the Women’s U23 team has begun its season with clarity and balance. In their first match, they defeated Jammu & Kashmir by seven wickets, restricting the opposition to 56/9 through a disciplined bowling performance shared by Yashasri, Kranthi, and Kesari Drithi, each picking up two wickets. Hyderabad chased the target in just eight overs, with Vanka Pooja contributing a neat all-round effort of 1 wicket and an unbeaten 11. Their second win, a hard-fought seven-run victory over Rajasthan, showcased a more rounded batting display. Trisha (34), Pooja (36), Kranthi (33), and Yashasri (21) helped Hyderabad post a competitive 127/4. The bowlers then held their nerve to restrict Rajasthan to 120/7, with Yashasri and Kranthi again picking up two wickets each. Across both matches, Pooja’s consistency stood out—her rising role as a dependable all-rounder is becoming increasingly evident.
However, performance on the field is only one part of Hyderabad cricket’s story. Off the field, the recent decision to shift the Men’s U23 team from Senior Selectors to Junior Selectors has raised legitimate concerns. The justification offered was “bye-laws,” but this explanation feels selective, especially since such rules are rarely enforced with similar rigidity in other areas. The Men’s U23 side is a direct feeder to the Ranji Trophy, and senior selectors—who have delivered two Buchi Babu titles, Plate-group promotion, and consistent results—understand these transition pathways far better. In contrast, Junior Selectors have struggled in recent years, with three consecutive Vinoo Mankad quarterfinal exits, middling Cooch Behar finishes, and the infamous 28 all out in U16 cricket. Empowering a committee with such a track record needs serious re-evaluation.
Compounding this, the decision to demote the Junior Selection Committee Chairman to an ordinary member before crucial U14, U16, and U19 selections raises questions about timing, coordination, and continuity. He has been central to talent spotting, and sudden leadership changes, without explanation, only create confusion among players and parents. A simple clarification from the administration could prevent speculation and preserve confidence.
Adding to the unease are multiple complaints and FIRs filed over the past few years. While FIRs do not prove wrongdoing, they certainly warrant basic enquiry, especially with U14 and U16 selections—traditionally the most vulnerable categories—around the corner. Equally worrying is the growing preference for non-competitive probables trials, where players bat or bowl in isolation without match scenarios. Such methods reduce objectivity and open the door to selective “talent promotion” rather than merit-based evaluation.
With U19 boys slipping unexpectedly, U23 men affected by selection restructuring, junior committees facing unanswered concerns, and crucial selections approaching, Hyderabad cricket stands at a turning point. The city has immense talent, but what it needs now is transparent selection, logical structures, consistent leadership, competitive evaluation, and a merit-first approach. Protecting the system today is essential to securing the future of Hyderabad cricket.
