Special Correspondent
An eligibility dispute has surfaced in the ongoing B Division T20 Knockout Tournament conducted by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), with Sportive Cricket Club accused of violating tournament regulations by fielding more guest players than permitted.
According to a formal complaint lodged by Charminar Cricket Club, Sportive CC allegedly played three guest players, exceeding the maximum limit of two guest players allowed under HCA rules for the tournament.
The issue arose during a knockout match between Sportive CC and Charminar. Charminar submitted a contemporaneous protest to HCA officials, alleging that Sportive had breached player eligibility norms laid down before the start of the season.
Before the tournament commenced, the HCA issued a notification allowing each participating team to register a maximum of 18 players, inclusive of no more than two guest players. The regulation was intended to maintain competitive balance and prevent undue advantage in a format where promotion and relegation are at stake.
As per the complaint, while two players were officially declared as guest players by Sportive CC, a third individual was fielded as a local player. Charminar alleges that the said player, though reportedly born in Hyderabad, has been actively representing district cricket in Andhra Pradesh and was listed as a local player during the Andhra Premier League auction. If verified, this could render the player ineligible to be classified as a local for an HCA-affiliated club under existing norms.
The matter assumes significance given the stakes involved in the competition. Group toppers in the B Division contest promotion to the A Division, while the bottom teams face relegation. With several teams closely placed in the standings, adherence to eligibility rules is considered critical to ensuring fairness.
The complaint has drawn attention partly because it has not yet been publicly resolved by the HCA. Observers note that similar violations earlier in the season resulted in disciplinary action. A team named National was penalised for an eligibility-related breach, setting a precedent for the enforcement of regulations.
The issue also intersects with Clause 31(2) of the amended HCA bye-laws, which restricts HCA-affiliated players and officials from participating in unapproved or conflicting tournaments. The clause is aimed at preventing overlapping registrations and dual representations.
At present, the HCA is functioning under a court-appointed administration, a phase that many within Hyderabad’s cricketing circles view as an opportunity to restore procedural clarity and consistency in governance.
Officials of the HCA are yet to issue a formal statement on the complaint or clarify whether an inquiry has been initiated. Until a decision is taken, the outcome of the match and its implications for promotion and relegation remain under a cloud.
Clubs and players have stressed that prompt resolution is essential, as prolonged uncertainty affects not only standings but also player morale and confidence in the administrative process.
As the tournament progresses into its decisive stages, stakeholders await a clear ruling from the HCA to determine whether the alleged violation occurred and, if so, what disciplinary action—if any—will follow.
