MS Shanker In yet another twist to the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s (HCA) continuing saga of controversy, Acting President Sardar Daljit Singh and Joint Secretary Basavaraju find themselves under a cloud. The duo, part of the “leftover” Apex Council after the arrest of three key office-bearers — President, Secretary, and Treasurer — are now accused of…
MS Shanker The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been plunged into fresh controversy after several club secretaries questioned the legality and propriety of a series of decisions taken by the current Apex Council. The criticism follows the suspension of HCA President G. R. Jaganmohan Rao, Secretary Devraj Ramachandran, and Treasurer C.J. Srinivas Rao—all arrested in…
Arshad Ayub: From Test Cricketer to Alleged Architect of Corruption MS Shanker In the long and tragic chronicle of Hyderabad cricket’s administrative collapse, one name looms large—not for his contributions as a former India Test off-spinner, but for his alleged misdeeds as Vice President and later President of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA): Arshad Ayub….
MS Shanker It’s not every day that you see Asaduddin Owaisi and Arnab Goswami on the same page. But when it comes to the sentiment that India must not play cricket with Pakistan—leave alone in a marquee tournament like the Asia Cup—the nation is speaking with one voice, from expected and unexpected quarters alike. Owaisi,…
A Forgotten Keeper’s Grief, and a Game in Ruins MS Shanker In my ongoing journey to uncover the root causes of Hyderabad cricket’s freefall—and more importantly, to spotlight voices that offer serious, constructive solutions—I caught up this week with a voice not often heard, but one that certainly deserves to be. Meet Youraj Singh, now…
In a functioning democracy, every political party has the right to contest or boycott an election. But when that boycott is threatened not in protest of injustice but seemingly to shield a legacy of electoral malpractice, it raises serious concerns about intent, integrity, and commitment to the Constitution. That’s exactly what appears to be happening…
MS Shanker The circus at the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) shows no sign of stopping. With its credibility in tatters and governance in chaos, the latest bombshell comes in the form of a searing letter from a club member—a parent, no less—calling out corruption, cover-ups, and cartelisation that are choking the sport. This letter, from…
Clubs, Cronies and Corruption: Anatomy of HCA’s Collapse By MS Shanker As promised, this week’s episode focuses on the root causes behind the tragic, systematic, and largely self-inflicted decline of Hyderabad cricket. At the heart of this rot lie two unholy forces: a cartel of affiliated clubs and a coterie of self-serving former cricketers who,…
MS Shanker In yet another controversial twist, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) today witnessed what many are calling a farcical continuation of its so-called “adjourned” Annual General Meeting (AGM). The meeting, which lasted under six minutes, has raised serious questions about its legality, transparency, and intent. Legal experts and HCA insiders point out that the…
MS Shanker A chilling video has gone viral recently, exposing a bitter truth hiding behind India’s sweetest lies: several popular “apple juice” brands being sold in the market contain zero apple, and worse, are filled with toxic, synthetic chemicals that pose serious health risks. These brands, with flashy packaging and deceptive marketing, are particularly popular…
