Our Correspondent
Hyderabad: The Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) on Tuesday announced that it would issue legal notices to several prominent actors, cricketers, and Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) officials over their alleged association with the proposed TG-20 League, which it claims is being conducted without mandatory approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
In an official signed Press statement, TCA General Secretary Dharam Guruva Reddy said legal notices would be served on actor Venkatesh Daggubati, actor Vijay Deverakonda, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu, international cricketers Tilak Varma and Mohammed Siraj, besides members of the HCA’s Court-appointed Single Member Committee headed by Justice P. Naveen Rao (Retd.).
Guruva Reddy alleged that the TG-20 League was being promoted as an official tournament despite not having the mandatory sanction of the BCCI.
“The use of celebrity endorsements, political proximity, and financial influence cannot substitute constitutional compliance. Telangana cricket cannot be converted into a private enterprise functioning outside established sporting regulations,” he said.
According to him, the TCA would explore all available legal remedies, including civil and criminal proceedings wherever applicable, against individuals and entities associated with the league.
Calling the proposed tournament a “dangerous precedent”, Guruva Reddy alleged that the TG-20 League was being used to exploit the Telangana brand, district identities, and the popularity of celebrities to create an impression of legitimacy among the public.
He further claimed that the initiative was conceived as a retaliatory move against the TCA after its efforts to establish a transparent, decentralised, and fair cricketing platform independent of HCA’s long-standing monopoly over cricket administration in the State.
The TCA also expressed concern over what it described as the increasing political capture of cricket administration.
Guruva Reddy alleged that sitting MLAs, Ministers, their family members, and business associates had entered franchise ownership structures linked to the proposed league.
“Public life demands higher standards of transparency and accountability. No amount of political influence, administrative pressure, or legal manoeuvring can shield individuals from statutory responsibility,” he said.
The association further questioned the legality of the TG-20 Governing Council, alleging that it had neither been elected nor formally approved by the HCA General Body.
According to Guruva Reddy, any collection of franchise fees, auction money, or sponsorship revenue under such circumstances raised serious legal and financial concerns.
“We will seek intervention from state investigative agencies, including the CB-CID, to examine these transactions. If necessary, we will also pursue intervention by central agencies to ensure an impartial investigation,” he said.
The TCA alleged that HCA’s current administrative structure was suffering from a severe legitimacy crisis.
Guruva Reddy pointed out that the HCA President remained under suspension following judicial proceedings, while the election of the current secretary was under challenge and had been widely questioned.
He further alleged that a small group of individuals had concentrated powers within the Apex Council, undermining the decentralisation principles envisaged under the Lodha reforms.
“The principles of transparency, equal opportunity, and conflict-free governance have been sacrificed at the altar of vested interests,” he alleged.
The association also expressed disappointment over the participation of international cricketers Tilak Varma and Mohammed Siraj in the proposed league.
“Young cricketers across Telangana look up to these players. Their association with an unapproved competition could send an incorrect message to aspiring players. We urge them to reconsider their involvement and uphold the integrity of cricket administration and BCCI regulations,” Guruva Reddy said.
The TCA also raised questions over the functioning of the Court-appointed Single Member Committee.
“The public expected systemic cleansing and institutional reforms. Instead, several decisions and endorsements have raised concerns regarding the direction in which Telangana cricket is being pushed,” he said.
Rejecting HCA’s claims of empowering district cricket, Guruva Reddy alleged that genuine rural talent continued to remain marginalised.
“The promise of district empowerment has become a statistical illusion. Hyderabad-based interests continue to dominate selection structures while talented players from rural Telangana remain excluded,” he said.
He further alleged that cricket was increasingly being used as a vehicle to advance larger commercial and real estate interests linked to politically connected entities.
“Telangana cricket does not belong to a select few. It belongs to every aspiring youngster across the State. Any attempt to convert the sport into an instrument of political control, financial profiteering or institutional capture will be challenged through every constitutional, legal and democratic avenue available,” Guruva Reddy asserted.
He also advised corporate entities, sponsors, media partners and public figures to exercise caution before associating themselves with the TG-20 League.
