MS Shanker
As the author of the six-part investigative series Who Ruined Hyderabad Cricket? I have extensively analyzed the factors behind the decline of Hyderabad’s cricketing legacy. Now, I turn my attention to a broader issue—why has cricket, despite being India’s most beloved and financially dominant sport, been excluded from the National Sports Policy? This discussion will be followed by an exploration of how Hyderabad cricket can be revived, drawing insights from former cricketers.
The first National Sports Policy was introduced in 1984 and later updated in 2001, aiming to improve sports infrastructure and performance. Despite hockey being designated as India’s national sport, cricket—arguably the most followed and financially powerful sport—has never been formally included. The reasons remain unclear. Is it because cricket is perceived as a “rich man’s game,” historically controlled by private entities rather than government bodies?
This exclusion has left cricket under the administration of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), an autonomous entity operating without government oversight. Over the years, this autonomy has led to corruption, nepotism, and financial irregularities within state cricket associations, as evident in the downfall of Hyderabad cricket.
Cricket in India was not always a billion-dollar industry. When India won the 1983 ICC World Cup, the BCCI reportedly struggled to offer financial rewards to players. However, the introduction of the Twenty20 (T20) format and the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 transformed the landscape. Under the leadership of Lalit Modi, the IPL emerged as a financial juggernaut, blending sports, entertainment, and commerce.
The numbers speak for themselves. The BCCI earned a surplus of approximately ₹5,120 crore from IPL 2023, a staggering 116% increase from the previous year. The total revenue from the tournament surged to ₹11,769 crore, with the BCCI earning approximately ₹65 lakh per match. These figures make it one of the most lucrative sports organizations in the world.
While the BCCI’s mandate is to promote cricket across India, the massive influx of money has also led to allegations of corruption. Financial aid to state cricket bodies, instead of fostering talent, has often been misused, resulting in mismanagement and a decline in cricketing standards, as seen in Hyderabad.
Hyderabad cricket was once a powerhouse, producing talented players and winning the Ranji Trophy in 1986-87, its first triumph in 50 years. However, since then, the state team has struggled, largely due to administrative failures and corruption. The decline began during the tenure of former Indian off-spinner Shivlal Yadav as Secretary and continued under the leadership of former cricketers like Arshad Ayub and Mohammad Azharuddin.
During Azharuddin’s tenure as Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) President, reports suggest that the BCCI released funds liberally without ensuring that audited financial reports were submitted or that Annual General Body meetings were held, a key requirement for accountability. This lack of transparency allowed unchecked financial mismanagement, leading to a steep decline in the state’s cricketing fortunes.
Given the Modi government’s strong focus on sports development and India’s growing success in the Olympics and international tournaments, government intervention in cricket governance has become necessary. No previous leader has personally congratulated athletes or hosted high-teas and dinners in their honour to this extent. This commitment should extend to cricket as well. Including cricket in the National Sports Policy could introduce much-needed transparency and accountability. Furthermore, the policy should mandate that no player or association can embroil the game’s governing body in legal disputes.
If countries like Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, and Jamaica have incorporated cricket into their national sports policies, why can’t India? Government intervention could ensure that the BCCI functions with greater transparency and aligns its policies with national sports objectives.
The way forward is that the Centre should establish guidelines for the administration of cricket, similar to other sports bodies under the National Sports Policy. The BCCI and state cricket associations must be required to submit audited financial statements approved by Annual General Body (AGM) meetings. Funds allocated to state associations must be strictly monitored to ensure they are used for talent development rather than administrative corruption. Strict checks and balances should be implemented in election processes within the BCCI and state bodies to prevent political and financial exploitation.
Cricket is no longer just a game in India; it is an economic powerhouse and a national passion. However, its unchecked financial autonomy has led to corruption, mismanagement, and a decline in cricketing standards in certain regions. By integrating cricket into the National Sports Policy, the Modi government can ensure transparency, accountability, and equitable development of the sport. The time has come for the government to step in and make cricket a part of India’s structured sports governance.
(This article is a continuation of my investigative efforts into Hyderabad cricket. Having explored Who Ruined Hyderabad Cricket? in my previous series, I will now shift focus to how the game can be revived in Hyderabad, with insights from former cricketers.)
