Your website/e-paper is committed to exposing the rot within Hyderabad cricket and supporting the fight led by a few honest officials and veteran cricketers determined to reclaim its lost glory. The game is far from dead—Mohammed Siraj’s journey from humble beginnings to the Indian team proves that genuine talent still exists, stifled by corruption. This is just the beginning. We promise to uncover more facts and bring them to light in the coming series. However, countless other deserving players have been denied their chance. We call on all genuine former cricketers and well-wishers to join the battle. Only a united front can compel the judiciary or state government to intervene and cleanse the HCA. — Editor
Our Special Correspondent
Hyderabad’s once-proud cricketing legacy now lies in tatters, gutted by greed, corruption, and a toxic culture of favoritism. The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), which once produced legends like ML Jaisimha, VVS Laxman, and Mohammad Azharuddin, now serves as a battleground for political cronies and self-serving administrators. The fallout? A sharp decline in cricketing standards and an organization in chaos.
At the heart of this decay is a leadership that operates with impunity, ignoring the very rules meant to ensure transparency and accountability. The latest target of scathing criticism is HCA President H. Jaganmohan Rao, a political appointee with no significant cricketing background. His tenure has been marked by unchecked authority and blatant disregard for protocol.
Rot at the Core: Corruption and Cronyism
The election of HCA officials is now more lucrative than political office. Votes are bought, and alliances forged through massive cash deals. Club secretaries, who form the electoral college, wield disproportionate power, turning elections into a circus of money and manipulation. The result is an administration filled with “chamchas” — loyalists who care little for the sport but much for the spoils.
This greed-driven leadership has reduced the HCA to a cash cow. Positions in teams, even at junior levels, are sold to the highest bidder. Promising players are sidelined, replaced by those who can afford to bribe their way in. This is not just a scandal; it’s a betrayal of every aspiring cricketer who dreams of donning the Hyderabad jersey.
Judiciary’s Failed Oversight
The Supreme Court’s intervention brought a glimmer of hope when former judge Nageshwar Rao was appointed as Ombudsman. Yet, the impact was short-lived. After conducting elections, he exited, leaving the same corrupt machinery in place. His departure marked the beginning of a renewed downward spiral, fuelled by political interference and administrative incompetence.
Ignored Warnings and Failed Reforms
Enter T. Basavaraju, the HCA Joint Secretary, one of the few voices of reason in this mess. In a series of detailed letters to the HCA leadership, Basavaraju has exposed systemic failures and suggested reforms. His warnings highlight alarming issues:
- Unilateral Decisions: Rao and his coterie routinely bypass the Apex Council, flouting by-laws that mandate collective decision-making. Contracts for IPL-related work have been awarded without tenders, and teams are sent to non-BCCI tournaments without approval.
- Financial Secrecy: The HCA’s financial dealings are shrouded in mystery. Income and expenditure details are withheld from the Apex Council, and audit recommendations are ignored. Basavaraju’s calls for transparency, including daily financial updates and monthly income statements, have fallen on deaf ears.
- Manipulated Meetings: The minutes of Apex Council meetings, if recorded at all, are never circulated. Key decisions are delayed, and accountability is non-existent. Basavaraju’s plea for regular meetings and timely follow-ups has been stonewalled.
Basavaraju’s frustration is palpable. His letters detail a roadmap for reform, demanding adherence to rules, financial transparency, and the restoration of the HCA’s credibility. His call for a multi-level parking facility at the stadium to ease congestion and enhance security is just one example of the practical steps being ignored.
But the most damning revelation is the manipulation of AGM minutes. These records, altered and submitted to the Supreme Court without approval, highlight a blatant contempt for both internal processes and judicial oversight.
Hyderabad cricket is at a crossroads. The game that once united the city now stands divided by vested interests. The HCA’s leadership, if it continues on this path, risks permanent damage to the sport’s legacy in the region.
It’s time for decisive action:
- Judicial Intervention: The judiciary must step in, not just to appoint overseers but to enforce accountability.
- Government Oversight: The state government can no longer turn a blind eye. It must initiate a thorough investigation into the HCA’s dealings.
- Cricketing Revival: The focus must shift back to nurturing talent. Positions should be earned, not bought.
Basavaraju’s fight is far from over, but he can’t win it alone. The cricketing community, fans, and honest administrators must rally together. Only a collective push can dismantle the corrupt empire entrenched in the HCA.
Hyderabad cricket deserves better. The players, fans, and legacy demand it. It’s time to clean house and restore the HCA to its former glory. The clock is ticking, and the stakes have never been higher. Will the powers that be rise to the occasion, or will Hyderabad cricket be consigned to the dustbin of history? The choice is theirs. (To be concluded)
