By a Concerned Parent
Hyderabad cricket has once again walked straight into controversy. The latest storm surrounding the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s (HCA) U-19 women’s team selection has exposed an ugly, deep-rooted malaise—one driven not by talent or performance, but by influence, brokers and money.
What should have been a merit-based opportunity for young girls has become yet another reminder that the HCA’s selection ecosystem is now hopelessly compromised.
The announcement of the new U-19 squad has triggered outrage across academies, clubs and among former players. The reason is simple: seven debutants have been picked despite uninspiring performances, while consistently better players have been ignored. The numbers reveal a story of nepotism and manipulation that the HCA can no longer shrug off.
Selections That Defy Logic and Scorecards
The most glaring example is Naga Sai Akshita, whose recent scores—7 (27), 5 (15), and 45 (127)—raise serious questions about her readiness for state-level cricket. Her bowling, too, lacked impact. Yet she was given the rare privilege of batting and bowling across all matches, a luxury even stronger performers do not always receive.
Another selection, Akshaya Reddy, appears even more troubling. With no significant performances in state matches and not even featuring in the probables list, she has nonetheless found her way into the squad. Such a sudden elevation cannot be explained by cricketing logic.
Then there is Phalguna Reddy, whose returns—0 (5), 0 (2) and 6 (15)—combined with consistently mediocre bowling, should have led to exclusion, not repeated opportunities. Instead, she played every match, opened the bowling, and batted in the top order—roles that indicate preferential treatment, not earned trust.
When Merit Doesn’t Matter, Talent Suffers
Perhaps, the most distressing part of this saga is the deliberate sidelining of genuine performers. Katta Tejaswini and Pratika Katravath—both of whom scored centuries in the probables matches—were not even considered for selection.
In any healthy cricketing structure, scoring a century at the probables stage should virtually guarantee a place in the squad. But in Hyderabad women’s cricket, it seems that excellence is not a qualification—it is an inconvenience.
This culture of ignoring proven performers sends a chilling message to every hardworking young girl:
No matter how well you play, you can still be overlooked if you lack the “right connections.”
The Broker-Parent Nexus Corrupting the Game
Hyderabad’s cricketing circles have long whispered about “cash for spots,” but those whispers are now becoming louder, more frequent and harder to ignore. Brokers have carved out a parallel economy around HCA selections, acting as intermediaries between selectors and affluent parents who are desperate to secure state caps for their daughters.
The name that repeatedly surfaces is Veeresh, father of a senior player, who is said to wield disproportionate influence in pushing the inclusion of certain players while sidelining others. Whether these allegations withstand a formal investigation remains to be seen—but the fact that they are so widely echoed speaks volumes about the rot within the system.
Such interference not only ruins the sanctity of sport but also destroys the spirit of young athletes who genuinely work to earn their place.
A System That Has Completely Collapsed
This latest scandal is not an isolated incident—it is simply the latest chapter in a long-running tragedy. Over the years, the HCA has repeatedly shown that it cannot conduct transparent, merit-based, corruption-free selections. Coaches are afraid to speak out, selectors operate without accountability, and administrators maintain a convenient silence.
The cumulative impact is devastating. The pipeline of genuine talent is shrinking. Morale among players and coaches is collapsing. And Hyderabad’s once-proud cricketing reputation is being reduced to a punchline.
Will the High Court–Appointed Judge Act Now?
The situation now demands urgent, decisive action from the High Court–appointed retired judge, Justice Naveen Rao. With clear evidence emerging, shouldn’t he finally crack the whip—remove the entire panel of selectors en masse, and appoint credible, qualified former cricketers who can put women’s cricket in Telangana back on track?
Because, frankly, we aggrieved parents are beginning to lose faith even in you, Justice Rao. Whispers are already circulating that you, too, have become “pliable.” That perception must be crushed immediately—through action, not assurances.
If not, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may have to intervene. Only the BCCI has the authority to impose strict consequences on its affiliated state bodies. And the HCA desperately needs that oversight, having failed to protect merit, integrity and fairness. Its internal checks now stand hollow and meaningless.
To restore trust, the BCCI must:
- Appoint neutral, external selectors with no ties to local academies or parents
- Mandate transparent, publicly available selection criteria based solely on performance
- Introduce accountability and rotation for selectors
- Crack down on brokers and middlemen operating around selections
- Create a protected whistleblower channel for coaches, players and officials
Unless the BCCI steps in decisively, Hyderabad will continue losing generations of players—not due to lack of talent, but because talent is being systematically suppressed.
A Last Chance to Stop the Rot
Hyderabad cricket has produced champions, icons and national players. But today, its foundations are crumbling under influence, interference, and corruption. The U-19 women’s team selection controversy is not just another incident—it is a glaring red alert that the system has collapsed.
Young girls with dreams of representing the state should not be punished for lacking influence. Their futures cannot be decided by brokers or parental lobbying.
This rot must stop.
The corrupt nexus must be dismantled.
And the game must return to those who earn it—
not those who buy it.
