Hyderabad: The Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) on Tuesday stated that the recently concluded TG20 player auction appeared to have reinforced concerns the association has repeatedly raised regarding the neglect of cricketing talent from Telangana’s districts. In a statement, TCA General Secretary Dharam Guruva Reddy said reports emerging from the auction had raised serious questions — and that the numbers, if accurate, spoke for themselves.
“Reports suggest that of 160 players selected across 8 franchises, only 32 — approximately 20% — are from Telangana’s districts. Of the total auction purse of ₹4.8 crore, district players are said to have received approximately ₹35 lakh — roughly 7%. If these figures are accurate, they are deeply concerning. Hyderabad accounts for approximately 15% of Telangana’s population. That it may have received 93% of the auction money and 80% of all squad positions would, if confirmed, validate every concern TCA has raised over the years,” he said.
Guruva Reddy further noted that reports suggested district players had not been given equitable footing even within the auction process itself. “We have received feedback indicating that district players were placed at the tail end of the auction, after several franchises had already exhausted their budgets. It has also been reported that some franchises required repeated persuasion to complete even a portion of 4 their minimum district quota — and that the reluctance displayed by certain franchises was visible and prolonged, falling just short of open refusal.
That district cricketers had to be accommodated rather than sought is a distinction that will not be lost on Telangana’s cricketing community.” Perhaps most telling, if reports are accurate, is the conduct of the franchise representing Karimnagar. It has been reported that the Karimnagar Diamonds had to be publicly compelled to select their final three district players.
TCA wishes to place on record that Karimnagar holds a singular place in Telangana’s history — it was the heartland of the movement that gave birth to this state. That a franchise bearing its name allegedly had to be forced to include players from its own region, in a league named after Telangana, is a matter that warrants serious reflection by all those responsible for this league’s governance.
Referring to media reports and feedback received from individuals who attended the auction, Guruva Reddy alleged that the process appeared to have been heavily influenced by a small group of individuals associated with cricket administration and private academies. “Several reports have suggested that franchise owners, many of whom may not possess extensive cricketing expertise, relied substantially on those power brokers who were masquerading as experts. Questions have also been raised regarding the manner in which player shortlists were prepared and how decisions were ultimately made during the auction,” he said.
Guruva Reddy further claimed that certain private cricket academies appeared to enjoy disproportionate influence in the talent identification process. “It is surprising that institutions and individuals who have previously faced criticism from various quarters regarding cricket administration are reportedly being projected as the primary source of cricketing talent. Such perceptions deserve closer scrutiny if the objective is to ensure a fair and transparent system,” he stated.
The TCA leader also raised questions about the absence of district representation at franchise tables and the burden being placed on district cricketers and their families. “It has been reported that franchise tables had no district cricket experts present during the auction. If franchise owners were advised entirely by those with no knowledge of district cricket, it raises legitimate questions about how district talent was evaluated — or whether it was evaluated at all. We must also ask whether the implicit expectation that district cricketers relocate to Hyderabad, enrol in private academies and pay substantial fees is one that families across Telangana can realistically bear,” he said. Guruva Reddy also questioned why no TG20 matches had been scheduled in any of Telangana’s districts.
“A league carrying Telangana’s name, played entirely within Hyderabad, raises questions about the sincerity of its commitment to the state’s cricketing community. Telangana’s districts have grounds, audiences, and talent. They deserve to be part of this league in more than name,” he said. Reiterating TCA’s demand for affiliation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Guruva Reddy said the governing body should seriously consider the association’s long-pending application.
“For years, we have argued that a separate platform is essential to ensure that talented cricketers from Telangana’s districts receive adequate exposure and opportunities. If the figures emerging from the TG20 auction are accurate, they demonstrate once again why that platform is not merely a demand but a necessity,” he added.
Guruva Reddy also rejected the argument that granting affiliation to TCA could trigger similar demands from other regions. “If the objective is genuine grassroots development, expanding opportunities and strengthening cricket administration at the regional level should not be viewed negatively. Cricket’s growth in India has always been driven by wider participation and stronger local structures,” he said.
Commenting on recent judicial developments concerning the Hyderabad Cricket Association, Guruva Reddy said TCA welcomed the direction to hold elections for the office of President within the stipulated 45-day timeframe. At the same time, he said certain legal and procedural questions remained open for discussion. “While we respect the verdict of the Hon’ble High Court, we believe certain issues continue to merit examination. These include the circumstances under which an elected office-bearer was removed from office and the processes followed by the Apex Council in taking such decisions. These are matters of governance that stakeholders are entitled to discuss within the framework of law,” he said.
Guruva Reddy also expressed the view that questions surrounding the appointment and role of various office-bearers and adjudicatory authorities within HCA deserved greater clarity to avoid future disputes. “TCA remains committed to promoting transparent, accountable and inclusive cricket administration. Our objective is not confrontation but ensuring that talented cricketers across Telangana receive fair opportunities and that the game’s governance remains beyond reproach,” he concluded.
