Threatens mass agitation at BCCI headquarters; alleges corruption and neglect of talent across Telangana’s 32 districts
Hanamkonda/Warangal: The Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) on Monday demanded the immediate scrapping of the existing Hyderabad Ranji Trophy squad, alleging serious irregularities in team selection, commercial interests overriding merit, and systematic neglect of cricketing talent across Telangana’s 32 districts. It also threatened to mobilise thousands of young cricketers for a mass protest outside the BCCI headquarters if the concerns raised by district-level players continue to be ignored.
Addressing a joint press conference following the formal inauguration of the Under-19 State League Championship at Kakatiya University Grounds, TCA General Secretary Dharam Guruva Reddy and Vice-President Dr Pesaroo Vijay Chander Reddy accused the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) of concentrating opportunities within limited pockets of Hyderabad at the expense of promising cricketers from the rest of Telangana.
Cash-for-Selection Allegations
Dharam Guruva Reddy questioned the selection process overseen by Ambati Rayudu and HCA Secretary Jeevan Reddy, alleging that places in the Ranji squad had been allotted on considerations other than cricketing merit. He specifically alleged that individuals associated with cricket-kit and T-shirt vendor companies had secured places while deserving local Telangana players were left out.
Describing the allegations as a matter requiring urgent scrutiny, the TCA demanded the immediate cancellation of the existing squad and called upon the HCA leadership to participate in an open debate on the selection process, the criteria adopted and the alleged exclusion of district-level talent.
The TCA maintained that complaints of alleged cash-for-selection practices could not be brushed aside and called for accountability and transparency in the selection of players representing Hyderabad in domestic cricket.
Threat of Mass Agitation
Escalating its confrontation with the HCA, the TCA leadership announced that it intended to field teams representing all 32 districts of Telangana in domestic cricket circuits to create a wider platform for local talent.
The association warned that, if the governing bodies continued to disregard the interests of aspiring cricketers from the districts, it would mobilise thousands of young players for a massive demonstration outside the BCCI headquarters. The proposed agitation, it said, would seek to draw the attention of the national cricket administration to the need for equitable opportunities and a transparent selection system.
Focus on District Cricket
Dr Pesaroo Vijay Chander Reddy criticised the HCA for allegedly limiting opportunities to select pockets of Hyderabad while failing to adequately identify and nurture talent across the remaining districts. He stressed that the future of Telangana cricket depended on a system that reached the grassroots rather than one that concentrated opportunities within a narrow geographical area.
The TCA reiterated that cricketers from rural and district backgrounds must receive a fair opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and progress to higher levels of competition. It argued that selection should be determined by performance and potential, rather than commercial connections or other extraneous considerations.
U-19 League to Identify Talent
The ongoing Under-19 State League Championship at Kakatiya University Grounds features 16 teams and is intended to provide a competitive platform for emerging cricketers. The TCA said it was committed to identifying, training and promoting promising players from across Telangana, with the ultimate objective of helping them progress to the national level.
The association further stated that exceptional performers in the tournament would be officially recommended to the BCCI for consideration, reinforcing its stated commitment to merit-based opportunities for young cricketers.
The inauguration was attended by TCA Zonal Convener and District Secretary Takkallapally Jaipal Reddy, Technical Committee Member Chittaranjan, Allam Venkateshwarlu, coach Shafi, and senior cricketers Navarasan and Aditya, among others.
