MS Shanker
Hyderabad’s cricketing legacy is rich, but its current state tells a different story. The decline of Hyderabad cricket has been a matter of concern for players, administrators, and fans alike. In this fourth part of our series on reviving Hyderabad cricket, we speak with Kanwaljit Singh, a stalwart who defied odds to carve out a remarkable career despite facing systemic hurdles.
Kanwaljit Singh was not handed opportunities on a silver platter. Entering the Hyderabad Ranji team at a time when it already had two established spinners—Test player Shivlal Yadav and future Test cricketer Arshad Ayub—was no easy feat. Despite this, Kanwaljit persevered and made a name for himself through sheer determination and performance.
His statistics speak volumes: over 110 first-class matches and nearly 350-360 wickets. However, despite his outstanding domestic record, he never made it to the Indian Test squad, an exclusion he attributes to favouritism and lack of support from influential figures within the cricketing establishment. Had the then-Indian captain, also from Hyderabad, backed him instead of a less talented spinner, Kanwaljit, he might have earned his rightful place in the national team.
Like many other former Hyderabad cricketers, Kanwaljit is disheartened by the sorry state of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). He was the first Director of the HCA Cricket Academy and contributed significantly to nurturing young talent. However, he believes that the association today is plagued by poor administration and deep-rooted corruption.
“Who will bell the cat to revive Hyderabad cricket, if not the HCA itself?” he questions. “But does it have the right people in the administration? The answer is a plain no. None of them possesses cricketing knowledge, and the association is polluted by individuals who don’t know what to do.”
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Kanwaljit also points out the missed opportunities by former players who were given the chance to bring about change but failed to do so due to personal interests. While he refrains from blaming individuals, he expresses disappointment that those in power did not act decisively to restore Hyderabad’s cricketing glory.
“I had no godfather, nor did I know how to pull the right strings to secure my place,” he says, recalling his early years. His confidence soared when former Indian cricketer Syed Abid Ali, upon seeing him play for Nizam College against the formidable State Bank of Hyderabad team, took an interest in his abilities. That encouragement propelled him forward, proving that talent, when given the right opportunities, can thrive.
According to Kanwaljit, the biggest challenge Hyderabad cricket faces today is administrative failure. Many key positions are occupied by individuals driven by personal ambitions rather than a genuine passion for the game. A glaring issue is the dominance of a few individuals who control multiple teams, leading to conflicts of interest and biased selection processes.
Unless the administration is overhauled and held accountable, Hyderabad cricket will continue its downward spiral. “We need individuals with unquestionable integrity, willing to work selflessly for the game’s revival,” he asserts.
Kanwaljit believes that Hyderabad cricket once flourished under exceptional coaches like Aibara and Bhupati, whose contributions led to the production of numerous Test cricketers. While finding coaches of their calibre today might be difficult, he insists that there are still experienced former players willing to contribute—if only they are given the opportunity.
The big question remains: Who will take the initiative to clean up the mess? Should the responsibility fall on the state government, the judiciary, or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)? Until decisive action is taken, Hyderabad cricket’s revival will remain a distant dream.
Kanwaljit’s message is clear—without reform in administration and a commitment to nurturing genuine talent, Hyderabad cricket will struggle to reclaim its past glory. The time to act is now.
