Our Sports Desk
Questions apparel contracts, academy dominance and SMC oversight; seeks independent probe as Lokayukta sets October 14 deadline for CID report.
Hyderabad: The Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) has alleged serious conflicts of interest in the functioning of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), questioning the transparency of team-apparel contracts, the alleged dominance of a private cricket academy in coaching and selection processes, and the failure of authorities to act on complaints of alleged irregularities.
Dharam Guruva Reddy, General Secretary of TCA, alleged that these issues had emerged despite the supervision of the High Court-appointed Single Member Committee (SMC), headed by Justice (Retd.) P. Naveen Rao. He called for an independent investigation into the allegations and immediate corrective action to restore transparency and credibility to Hyderabad cricket.
“What was once alleged to be a cash-for-selection system now raises an equally disturbing question: has a kit-for-selection arrangement emerged? The public deserves to know whether apparel contracts and team selections are being handled through transparent, verifiable procedures or whether conflicts of interest are being allowed to flourish,” Guruva Reddy said.
TCA stressed that the allegations required an impartial investigation, with responsibility fixed wherever evidence established wrongdoing.
Three vendors, three categories, questions galore
Raising questions over the allocation of apparel contracts for different Hyderabad teams, TCA pointed to three vendors reportedly associated with the respective categories:
- Ranji Trophy: SAAG, which TCA alleges is owned or operated by H.K. Simha, a player named as a standby in Hyderabad’s officially announced 2026–27 Ranji Trophy squad.
- Under-23: KRAGBUZZ.
- Under-19: MaxMillors.
Guruva Reddy questioned why three different vendors were engaged for three age-group categories and sought details of the procurement process, including the criteria for vendor selection, the comparative quotations received, the approvals granted and the disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest.
“The presence of a vendor reportedly linked to a family whose member figures in the Ranji squad raises legitimate questions that HCA must answer. Was an open tender conducted? Were competing quotations obtained? Were all potential conflicts disclosed and examined by the competent authority?” he asked.
TCA called for the disclosure of relevant procurement records and an independent examination of the apparel contracts. It also demanded scrutiny of whether any connection existed between vendor selection and player selection, while making clear that such a relationship must be established through evidence rather than assumption.
NexGen Academy under scrutiny
TCA also alleged that individuals associated with NexGen Cricket Academy have secured a disproportionately large presence in HCA’s coaching and selection structures, raising concerns about the independence of state-level cricket administration.
Among the individuals whose roles and associations it wants examined are Anirudh Singh, Head Coach; Alfred Absolem, Bowling Coach; and Inder Sheker Reddy, Pavan Kumar, T. Ravi Kumar and Akshit Reddy, among others.
Guruva Reddy alleged that players associated with NexGen account for upwards of 70 per cent of those selected for certain state and Ranji teams. TCA sought verification of this claim through a player-by-player audit of academy affiliations and selection records, arguing that district-level and rural talent across Telangana must receive a fair opportunity.
“State cricket cannot become the preserve of a single private academy or a closed network of individuals. If the alleged concentration is borne out by records, it would raise serious questions about equal opportunity, the independence of selectors and the credibility of the selection system,” he said.
TCA further raised concerns about alleged preferential treatment for relatives of individuals associated with cricket administration, including the selection prospects of junior players. It cited Vivaan Reddy, described by TCA as the son of a senior selector, and called for an objective review of junior probable lists and selection criteria.
The association also questioned whether all individuals involved in coaching and selection had made the required disclosures of their private academy affiliations and other interests. It sought clarification of the applicable conflict-of-interest rules and whether they had been consistently enforced.
Fitness tests and age verification questioned
TCA alleged that fitness standards, including Yo-Yo testing, had not been applied consistently across selection cycles. According to Guruva Reddy, mandatory benchmarks introduced in one season were subsequently relaxed or not enforced, allegedly benefiting players with influential connections.
He demanded the publication of applicable fitness criteria and the corresponding results, subject to legitimate privacy requirements, along with an independent review of whether the same standards had been applied uniformly to all candidates.
TCA also called for an examination of allegations concerning irregularities in birth certificates and age verification, including complaints reportedly involving an official identified as Raghava. It alleged that concerns about possible duplicate or second birth certificates had not received adequate scrutiny and sought an impartial investigation into the relevant records and the handling of the complaints.
The association also named Vikas Reddy, Anirudh Singh, Inder Sheker Reddy and Vivaan Reddy in connection with concerns it wants investigated over age eligibility and related matters.
Guruva Reddy said no player or official should be presumed guilty merely because allegations had been raised. However, he insisted that allegations supported by documentary evidence must be investigated without regard to personal connections or institutional position.
“Fitness, age eligibility and selection standards must be the same for everyone. If there are discrepancies, the records must be examined independently and the findings made available through the appropriate process. Genuine young talent must not suffer because of any failure to enforce the rules uniformly,” he said.
CID and SMC face questions as Lokayukta sets deadline
TCA expressed concern over what it described as prolonged inaction on complaints submitted to the SMC and the handling of related allegations by the Crime Investigation Department (CID).
According to Guruva Reddy, formal complaints containing supporting material were submitted to the SMC on August 24, 2025, March 5, 2026, May 20, 2026, and May 31, 2026. He questioned what action had followed and sought clarity on the status of the complaints, the verification of the evidence submitted and the steps taken to establish accountability.
“The SMC was appointed to oversee the administration and help restore confidence in HCA. The central question is whether the complaints placed before it have been examined effectively and whether corrective measures have followed. Supervision must translate into accountability,” he said.
TCA further alleged that the CID had failed to respond adequately to the complaints and demanded that the investigation proceed independently of any influence from HCA officials or other interested parties.
Guruva Reddy said that, following his written rejoinder highlighting what TCA described as failures by the CID and HCA to respond satisfactorily, the Lokayukta had fixed October 14, 2026, as the deadline for the CID to submit its Action Taken Report, while directing HCA to file its counter.
TCA described the deadline as an important opportunity for the authorities to demonstrate that the complaints were being treated seriously. It called for a comprehensive report setting out the action taken, the evidence examined and the status of the issues raised.
The association also questioned whether the SMC’s supervisory role had been effective in addressing alleged conflicts of interest. It urged the competent authorities to clarify the scope of the committee’s responsibilities and the action taken on the representations placed before it.
TCA’s demands
Seeking urgent intervention, TCA has called for the following measures:
- Independent apparel-contract audit: Examine the procurement, selection and allocation of contracts involving SAAG, KRAGBUZZ and MaxMillors, including the disclosure of any actual or potential conflicts of interest. Any cancellation should follow the findings of the inquiry and the applicable contractual process.
- Conflict-of-interest review: Independently examine the roles of coaches, selectors and administrators associated with private cricket academies, verify the disclosures made by them and enforce applicable rules wherever violations are established.
- Selection audit: Review player-selection records across age groups and senior teams, including academy affiliations, selection criteria and the representation of district and rural players.
- Independent fitness and age verification: Audit compliance with fitness standards and age-eligibility requirements, including disputed documentation, and arrange fresh testing wherever justified by the evidence.
- Time-bound CID action: Ensure that the CID submits a comprehensive, impartial Action Taken Report to the Lokayukta by October 14, 2026, as directed, and that all outstanding allegations are dealt with in accordance with the law.
- Accountability and transparency: Make appropriate findings and corrective measures public, subject to legal requirements, privacy safeguards and the integrity of any ongoing investigation.
Concluding his statement, Guruva Reddy said: “Hyderabad cricket belongs to its players and supporters, not to any individual, private academy or group of vested interests. HCA must answer legitimate questions about procurement, selections, fitness standards and age verification. If an independent investigation establishes wrongdoing, those responsible must face the consequences under the law. TCA will continue to pursue the matter through appropriate legal and institutional channels until accountability is secured.”
TCA reiterated that its objective was to safeguard fair opportunities for cricketers across Telangana, strengthen institutional transparency, and ensure that Hyderabad cricket is administered in accordance with established rules rather than personal influence.
