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…
A Forgotten Opener Speaks Out: Daniel Manohar’s Take on HCA’s Decline MS Shanker As the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) battles one of its worst-ever phases—with top office-bearers behind bars and public trust crumbling—those who once brought glory to the city are beginning to speak out. In this edition, I reached out to a cricketer who…
MS Shanker The noose continues to tighten around the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) as the Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) has petitioned the state’s Crime Investigation Department (CID), demanding further arrests in the sprawling corruption scandal that has rocked Hyderabad cricket. Among those named in the latest complaint is former cricketer and administrator Vanka Pratap. The…
MS Shanker The rot in the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has deepened dramatically, with last week’s crackdown by the Telangana State CID following a damning Vigilance and Enforcement Directorate (VED) report. Five arrests have already been made — including HCA President Jaganmohan Rao, CEO Sunil Kante, Treasurer CJ srinivas, and others linked to the infamous…
Why the Amarjit Dulat episode deserves more scrutiny than spin I’m rather tempted to make that ‘viral video’ the subject of this week’s column. It’s the one where a journalist poses a pointed question. The camera rolls. And what the nation sees next is both shocking and revealing—a former RAW chief, yes, one of India’s…
A Fight for the Soul of the Game: Why Revanth Reddy’s Crackdown Must Go All the Way This is in continuation of my pursuit to expose who is responsible for ruining Hyderabad cricket—not just through corruption and incompetence, but by systematically dismantling an ecosystem that once produced legends, pride, and a legacy few cities in…
