MS Shanker
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has taken a decisive step by ordering an inquiry into the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) following explosive allegations by IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The franchise accused the HCA of blackmail, even threatening to leave Hyderabad as their home ground. This move by Reddy signals a commitment to transparency, but it must be followed by firm action against the long-standing corruption within the HCA.
While addressing SRH’s concerns is crucial, the chief minister must go further by directing the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to act on pending allegations against more than 40 HCA administrators, including former cricketers. These allegations, buried for years, point to rampant mismanagement and financial irregularities. The police officials who deliberately stalled these cases—whether due to negligence or potential bribery—must also face scrutiny.
To ensure an unbiased investigation, Reddy should appoint a high-profile officer alongside two or three former cricketers with impeccable reputations. This panel must review the ACB’s past chargesheet, ensure it is filed in court, and take stringent action against the accused, including property attachments. The inquiry should also look into historical scandals, such as the mysterious disappearance of the prestigious Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup, allegedly under a former treasurer’s tenure.
Beyond addressing past corruption, the government must introduce structural reforms to restore Hyderabad’s cricketing legacy. A crucial step would be implementing a law prohibiting public figures from heading sports bodies, thereby eliminating political influence in sports administration. Furthermore, HCA elections must be reformed to prevent individuals or families from monopolizing multiple league teams—a practice that has long enabled corruption and favoritism, besides influencing electoral politics.
Hyderabad cricket, once a powerhouse that consistently produced Test and Zonal players, has suffered due to administrative greed and inefficiency. The decline accelerated under the previous government, which installed an HCA president with no credible cricketing background. Unlike past political interventions in the HCA, which at least ensured some level of cricketing integrity, recent administrations have severely damaged the sport.
With several HCA-related cases pending in the Supreme Court, a proactive stance by the ACB would not only expedite legal proceedings but also signal a serious commitment to reform. The SRH controversy has exposed the rot within the HCA, and this opportunity must not be squandered. If Revanth Reddy succeeds in cleaning up the association, he will cement his reputation as a leader who values integrity over political convenience and earn the lasting respect of Hyderabad’s cricketing community.
This is a moment of reckoning. If the Telangana government acts decisively, it could mark the beginning of a new era for Hyderabad cricket—one free from corruption and political interference.
