Cricket is the ultimate winner, says this week’s guest Ravinder Reddy
MS Shanker
After 22 episodes of exploring ways to rebuild Hyderabad cricket, it is heartening to finally see a glimmer of hope. The Hyderabad team has performed impressively in the ongoing Buchi Babu Tournament. That success, many believe, is no coincidence—it stems from selectors resisting external pressures and choosing a team on merit.
Several club secretaries had earlier objected to attempts by members of the truncated apex council to replace the selection committee. Their stand was found from the High Court–appointed supervisory committee, Justice Naveen Rao, who rightly rejected the proposed changes. The result is there for all to see: a spirited Hyderabad side proving its potential on the field.
This week, our guest is Ravinder Reddy, an engineer with the Hyderabad Metro Water & Sewerage Board and secretary of its affiliated cricket club. A good cricketer himself, Reddy embodies cautious optimism about the future.
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“No one can kill the passion of Hyderabadis for cricket. The city and the state have abundant talent,” he says with conviction. While acknowledging the damage caused by poor governance in the past, he refuses to dwell on it. “That should not be an obstacle. What matters now is choosing the right and talented cricketers. The Buchi Babu performance shows the fire is still alive.”
Reddy believes that talent alone is not enough—luck too plays its part. “Not every gifted player makes it big. But giving up is never an option. If you focus on improving your game, sharpening your batting or bowling skills, and drawing the attention of the public, even the most indifferent selectors will eventually fall in line.”
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On how to sustain momentum, Reddy echoes the views of many former players and administrators featured earlier in this series: strengthen the league structure with transparency. He insists that tournaments like the once-prestigious Moin-ud-Dowlah Cup must be revived. “Those tournaments were stepping stones for cricketers aspiring to play for India. They created competitiveness and showcased Hyderabad’s best.”
He also laments the irregular scheduling of annual league fixtures and the disappearance of inter-school, inter-college, and zonal tournaments. “These events once produced stars. Without them, opportunities shrink for youngsters.”
Importantly, Reddy urges that cricket should not remain confined to Hyderabad city. “There is immense talent in the districts. Today’s rural youth watch as much international cricket as city boys. What they need is exposure and infrastructure. The HCA must ensure no one in the state feels left out. Why shouldn’t a boy from a remote village get the same chance to play for Hyderabad as someone from the city?”
Even reserving 4–5 slots in every state team for players from the districts is not a bad idea, he felt. Such a step would strengthen the confidence of rural youth. He cited examples from other sports where youngsters from villages have excelled and gone on to represent the nation. “So, why not in cricket too?” was his pointed question. It is time for administrators to focus on this, as it will help ensure fairness and reduce any sense of animosity among talented cricketers.
For Reddy, the revival of Hyderabad cricket rests on two pillars: transparency in selection and the revival of traditional tournaments that built generations of players. He concludes on a hopeful note: “The Buchi Babu performance shows that Hyderabad cricket is limping back. If administrators focus on fair selection and provide platforms for talent across the state, we can regain the past glory and once again produce cricketers who make us all proud.”
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