Dharam Guruva Reddy
Although I would have preferred to remain silent, my continued silence could perhaps be mistaken for TCA’s weakness. I therefore feel compelled to respond to the criticism being directed at the Telangana Cricket Association (TCA).
I have the highest personal regard for the author, whom I know as a former cricketer who also led the Hyderabad Ranji team during his playing days. But I would sincerely ask him to put his hand on his heart and answer one simple question: Has the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) ever given adequate representation and opportunities to aspiring cricketers from rural Telangana?
I know he cannot honestly answer that question in the affirmative.
The uncomfortable truth is that HCA has, for decades, remained overwhelmingly concentrated in the urban precincts of Hyderabad, while the enormous reservoir of cricketing talent in Telangana’s districts has received scant attention. Where is the infrastructure in the districts? Where are the sustained opportunities for district teams to participate in major tournaments such as the Moin-ud-Dowla tournament? Who stopped HCA from creating a genuine district cricket structure?
Had HCA done what a state cricket association is expected to do, there would perhaps have been no need for us to establish a separate registered body such as TCA and pursue recognition with the BCCI. Our struggle did not begin because we wanted a parallel cricket administration. It began because we believed that large sections of aspiring cricketers outside Hyderabad were being denied the opportunities they deserved.
This is not merely my allegation. A former HCA cricketer and selector has also spoken about instances where promising district players were recommended but their inclusion was subsequently vetoed by the then HCA management. If a selector’s recommendations for deserving district players could be overruled for reasons unrelated to cricketing merit, it tells its own story about the priorities of the administration.
For decades, the problem was not merely geographical; it was institutional. Before the formation of Telangana in 2014, the interests of the region were often overshadowed by the dominance of the coastal Andhra establishment. After bifurcation, one expected that to change. Unfortunately, the grievance from the districts has remained that HCA continued to be largely Hyderabad-centric, with representation and opportunities for district cricketers often reduced to tokenism.
Can the author deny these facts that TCA has been flagging? If he can, I am prepared to listen.
But I would also ask: Is cricket meant only for the urban elite, or is it equally the right of a talented youngster from Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam or any other district of Telangana?
Simply boasting of a 75-80-year association with the BCCI cannot, by itself, be a certificate of achievement. The real question is: What has HCA actually done during all these decades to create opportunities for aspiring cricketers across the region?
Why were district players neglected? Why was adequate infrastructure not created in the districts despite the availability of BCCI resources over the years? Are BCCI funds meant merely to sustain an administrative establishment and affiliated clubs, or are they intended to promote and develop the game at the grassroots?
And why should BCCI financial assistance meant for the development of cricket be routed primarily through an ever-expanding network of affiliated clubs? Who decided that affiliations should be handed out so liberally? How did the number of affiliated clubs grow from roughly 40 to more than 200? More importantly, what tangible benefit has this phenomenal expansion brought to Telangana cricket?
These are legitimate questions. TCA is not inventing them. We are merely asking them publicly.
And if the author believes that we are wrong, I invite him to an open debate on facts, records and documents. Let us put everything on the table—not personalities, not insinuations, but facts.
There is another uncomfortable issue that cannot simply be brushed aside.
What has HCA achieved if its affairs have, over the years, been entrusted to former Test stars and other office-bearers who have subsequently faced serious allegations of graft, financial irregularities and legal proceedings? Several such matters involving former HCA office-bearers have reached investigating agencies and the courts and remain subject to legal adjudication.
TCA is not pronouncing anyone guilty. The courts will decide individual culpability. But the existence of such cases and investigations is certainly a legitimate reason to ask whether HCA’s financial and administrative governance has always been as transparent and accountable as it should have been.
Former Test status should command respect, but it cannot become an immunity shield against questions of accountability.
If the HCA treasury and administration have been handled properly, let the records establish it. If there is nothing to hide, why should anyone be afraid of an open examination of the accounts, decisions and governance of the association? Yes, including the recent much trumpeted TG20 success records.
TCA is asking precisely those questions.
It is unfortunate that, just as the people of Telangana had to fight for separate statehood after decades of feeling neglected, those of us from the rural cricketing regions are now having to fight for a separate cricketing identity. TCA has been pursuing this cause for nearly 12 years.
I, along with several former cricketers and well-wishers, have fought legal and institutional battles seeking recognition from the BCCI as an Associate Member. We have not undertaken this struggle for personal positions or privileges. We have done so because we genuinely believe that Telangana’s cricketing talent deserves a wider and more equitable platform.
There have also been developments concerning greater involvement of TCA in promoting cricket in the rural districts. These matters are available on record. If the author is unaware of them, I would be happy to place the relevant documents before him. Much of the material has already been placed in the public domain, including through this digital newspaper.
I reiterate that TCA is not fighting for personal positions. We are fighting for justice, representation and opportunity.
I also have the highest personal respect for the author, his late father and their family. Precisely for that reason, I do not wish to make this a personal battle.
But through his sources, he should perhaps find out who, while serving as HCA president, opposed the idea of HCA and TCA working together despite discussions at the secretary level on cooperation in the larger interest of the game. I deliberately do not wish to personalise that issue. My concern is with the principle: when there was an opportunity to work together for the development of cricket, why was it resisted?
My appeal to everyone who finds fault with TCA is simple: let us stop trading accusations through the media and sit across the table.
As the General Secretary of TCA, I am willing to face any HCA stakeholder in an open and structured debate. Let us discuss the records, district cricket, infrastructure, player opportunities, club affiliations, BCCI resources, governance and, above all, the future of Telangana cricket.
If our arguments are wrong, expose them with facts.
If HCA believes its record is beyond criticism, let it defend that record with facts.
And if there is a genuine opportunity to work together, TCA is prepared to consider it in the larger interest of the game. HCA should also seriously consider the BCCI’s suggestion regarding greater involvement of TCA in promoting cricket in the rural districts.
Our objective is not to malign HCA. Our objective is to ensure that a talented youngster’s address does not determine his or her cricketing opportunity.
Telangana fought for statehood because its people believed that neglect could not continue indefinitely. TCA’s struggle, too, is rooted in that same fundamental grievance.
So, to those advising TCA to “focus on the issues”, I say: that is precisely what we are doing.
Now let us debate those issues—openly, honestly and on the record.
TCA throws the challenge open.
(The author is General Secretary, Telangana Cricket Association)
