MS Shanker
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), already under fire for a series of administrative lapses, has once again invited criticism—this time over its handling of women’s team selections. Despite being reduced to a truncated apex council after recent controversies, the remaining office-bearers had an opportunity to rebuild confidence. Instead, their latest decision has raised eyebrows among players, coaches, and former stalwarts.
The immediate flashpoint is the HCA’s move to conduct trials for the state women’s teams in just a single day. The hurried process, many argue, undermines the chances of aspiring cricketers to showcase their talent fairly. Among those voicing strong concern is former India women’s team captain and ex-selector, Purnima Rau.
Rau, who has also served as coach, said a one-day trial is “grossly inadequate” to identify and evaluate promising players. “Selections need time and patience. You cannot expect to spot talent in a matter of hours, especially when so many youngsters are eager to prove themselves,” she observed.
They should have announced the women’s selection committee when they announced the men’s selection committee. This would have given ample time to prepare for the coaches and the team. By this time, we should have had practice matches with other state teams.
Drawing from her own experience as a selector, Rau recalled how, on one occasion, a 14-year-old cricketer was included in the senior squad to foster competitiveness and give the youngster exposure. “Such decisions require careful deliberation, and that is not possible if trials are rushed,” she added.
Adding urgency to the matter, state-level tournaments are scheduled to begin in the first week of October. With hardly a fortnight left, coaches and trainers will have very limited time to prepare the selected squads. “You cannot expect the players to perform at their best with so little preparation. Competitive cricket requires planning, strategy, and proper grooming,” Rau stressed.
Despite her criticism, Rau expressed hope that the new selection committee, appointed under the supervision of Justice Naveen Rao—the High Court’s one-man panel overseeing HCA affairs—would act responsibly. “Hyderabad’s women’s teams had performed well for the past two years. The new selectors must ensure this legacy, ethics, and hard work is not broken,” she said.
She further underlined the need for accountability across the board. Whether selectors, coaches, or support staff, each individual entrusted with responsibility should be answerable for results. Rau suggested that Justice Rao must not hesitate to “crack the whip” if negligence or favouritism is detected.
The larger concern, however, is reputational. Hyderabad has historically been a powerhouse of cricket, producing stalwarts for both men’s and women’s national teams. Any misstep, Rau warned, could revive old accusations of “pay-to-play” and favouritism, undermining meritocracy and tarnishing the HCA’s name further.
For an association battling to reclaim credibility, this delay in cricketing activities for this season could prove costly.
