Special Correspondent
Hyderabad cricket is finally fighting its way back into relevance. A struggling system briefly lit up with Ranji and U-19 performances that made fans dare to dream again. Yet, behind these revived hopes lies a festering story of arrogance, greed, and power politics—one that is rapidly threatening to undo everything the players have worked so hard to rebuild.
Insiders within the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), speaking strictly off the record, allege that the truncated apex council—particularly its Acting Secretary is continuing in his merry ways of treating HCA as vehicle to forward his personal agenda of future elections and prosperity. He initially wasn’t willing to accept the recent victories and saw it a victory of Justice Naveen Rao and the selectors/coaches appointed. He apparently tried to stonewall the announcement of the prize money to the players but finally accepted after insisting on reduction for the support staff.
There seems to be a sudden shift in his approach as a few see opportunities for personal rewards and a renewed means to plunder. Hiding behind the shadow of a political heavyweight and guided by a powerful private coaching academy promoter notorious for deal making with outside players, this official is accused of blatantly interfering in selections across all age-group teams. Transparency has become the first casualty. Live updates on selection trials were suddenly removed from the association website, insiders claim, paving the way for manipulation, back-door deals, and the rise of middlemen. The formats for the selection matches have also been altered to ensure no clear matrix can be established, which ultimately helps their manipulative designs.
As one senior official put it bluntly: “Players win games. Officials win contracts. Guess who gets rewarded?” Big dreams are sold, and gullible parents trapped to stretch their means.
These allegations come even as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continues to release funds intended specifically for player welfare and grassroots development. Yet, those who bring pride to Hyderabad cricket reportedly receive shabby treatment, while those sitting in the corridors of power enjoy lavish control over the purse.
Multiple credible complaints indicate players are being given substandard kits, forced to endure poor travel and accommodation arrangements, and are led by team managers who have no experience, no qualification, not even basic communication skills. The manager appointment is being used as an election dike out to satisfy club secretary or their cronies. There have been several such appointments in various committees without relevant experience, only with an eye on the upcoming elections.
The players, instead of being the main characters of the story, are becoming the support cast even after winning national honours, their toil attracts no applause from their own association. A shocking example repeatedly cited: despite her World Cup triumph and significant contributions across formats, Arundhati Reddy has received no official reception or felicitation from HCA. Not even a garland. The same was the case with the U19 boys, with no one from the Apex bothering to receive it felicitate, then in spite of an unprecedented win.
Meanwhile, selection lists and coaching appointments are reportedly being altered at the last minute — and the whispers of cash-driven favouritism are growing louder. Even live score updates during selection matches are delayed or mysteriously missing, raising suspicions of data manipulation to favour certain names. Extra-constitutional, self-appointed power brokers are alleged to be running the show, while the High Court-appointed Administrator appears either misinformed, misled, or shockingly uninvolved.
But perhaps the most reprehensible betrayal is this: the HCA allegedly claiming credit for players who had to abandon Hyderabad to resurrect their careers elsewhere. The very system that suffocated them now proudly parades them as its own “success stories.” For cricketers who found opportunities only after escaping this toxic ecosystem, such false appropriation isn’t just hypocritical — it’s deeply insulting and exploitative.
As one former Ranji player expressed in sheer frustration:
“They abandoned these talents, then stole their achievements.”
The ex-player cites example after example — Ambati Rayudu moving to Mumbai in desperation, Hanuma Vihari hounded out despite his class, Tilak Varma forced to overcome early hurdles created right here. Even Hyderabad’s greatest icon, Mithali Raj, rose to greatness despite the system, not because of it. The pattern is consistent — and consistently damaging.
Add to this the lack of probables list for the U-23 one-day squad, and one can only conclude that wickets are being prepared—not on the ground but in offices—where merit plays second fiddle to money and influence.
The burning question stands tall and unanswered: Don’t our state cricketers deserve better? Why should BCCI funds meant for cricketers be used for the political and financial empowerment of a select few?
Meanwhile, it is gathered that some greedy selectors have grown envious of the very players they picked — jealous of their success and recognition. Such envy has allegedly driven them to an even lower level: allegedly demanding hefty sums from the parents of these performing youngsters, claiming “after all, we are the reason for their selection and rise; they will soon make big money in the IPL.”
Can there be anything more bizarre or absurd than this stupidity? Would every teacher start claiming credit — and demanding money — from their students’ parents whenever a bright student excels in medicine, engineering, technology, or any other field? If not, why should these so-called selectors — the self-styled “gurus” of Hyderabad cricket — stoop to such disgraceful behaviour? Some parents, unwilling to reveal their identity for fear of jeopardising their sons’ futures, are now crying in silence.
The players have delivered where it matters—on the 22 yards. The fans, long deprived of pride, have returned with expectations. If the HCA leadership continues this destructive script, Hyderabad will lose yet another generation of talent—not to failure, but to migration and manipulation.
Hyderabad cricket’s revival cannot become a smokescreen for corruption. It’s time someone high enough, strong enough, and clean enough intervenes—because champions deserve facilities, not exploitation. And Hyderabad deserves administrators who work for cricket—not feast on it.
