The Cleansing Has Begun, The Revival Must Continue

Objective Accomplished, Vigil Must Continue — Editor

For more than a year, Orangenews9 stood virtually alone in asking uncomfortable questions about the steady decline of the once-glorious Hyderabad Cricket Association. At a time when many preferred silence, compromise, or convenient neutrality, this platform chose the more difficult path — relentless scrutiny backed by documents, facts, court records, and verifiable evidence.

Today, with the intervention of the Telangana High Court and the directive to constitute a Special Investigation Team to probe multiple allegations surrounding the affairs of the HCA, one can say with measured satisfaction that a crucial objective has been achieved.

This is not a moment of celebration for any individual or media house. It is a moment of institutional correction. More importantly, it is a moment to thank the judiciary for stepping in firmly when cricket administration in Hyderabad appeared to be collapsing under the weight of corruption allegations, legal disputes, opaque governance, and unchecked manipulation by vested interests.

Now, with a full-fledged Apex Council finally in place after the filling of the President and Secretary posts, there appears to be a renewed sense of direction within the HCA. Under the upright leadership of Jeevan Reddy, who seems genuinely determined to clean up the mess, and with the Telangana High Court’s directive to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the irregularities, the restoration process has received much-needed institutional backing. “Whatever good I can do, I shall do, though my tenure may be brief. I will work in the best interests of Hyderabad cricket and hope all stakeholders, especially the affiliated club secretaries, will cooperate,” Jeevan Reddy told this author.

In the same breath, it must also be said that the role being played by former judge Justice Naveen Rao, who was entrusted with oversight and scrutiny responsibilities, deserves particular appreciation. At a time when public confidence in the HCA had touched its lowest ebb, the presence of a respected former judge has brought a sense of credibility, neutrality, and seriousness to the clean-up process.

The significance of judicial oversight cannot be overstated. For nearly two decades, Hyderabad cricket administration drifted from being a sporting institution into what many insiders privately described as a battlefield of lobbying, factionalism, litigation, and financial opportunism. The focus shifted from producing cricketers to capturing committees. Club cricket became secondary to power politics. Transparency disappeared. Accountability became non-existent.

The institutional and sporting damage inflicted upon Hyderabad cricket during this period has been immense and, in many ways, generational.

This was, after all, the same cricketing ecosystem that once produced legends and national stalwarts — from Ghulam Ahmed to M. L. Jaisimha to Abid Ali to Mohammed Azharuddin to V. V. S. Laxman, along with several other distinguished cricketers who represented India with pride and elegance. Hyderabad cricket once stood for class, discipline, and technical excellence. Unfortunately, over the years, the institution that was supposed to nurture talent became synonymous with controversy.

Questions were repeatedly raised regarding construction activities, use of government land, financial irregularities, distribution of funds received from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, lack of transparency in club grants, the alleged “pay-to-play” culture, manipulation within affiliated units, and the manner in which certain institutional teams were allegedly captured and controlled by a small network of former administrators and vested interests.

Orangenews9’s “Who Ruined HCA?” and “How to Revive Hyderabad Cricket” series were born in that atmosphere of decay and frustration.

It must be reiterated once again that the intention behind these investigative and analytical campaigns was never personal vendetta. Nor was the purpose to malign individuals for the sake of sensationalism. Every report, every question, and every exposure was rooted in public-interest journalism backed by supporting material and documentary evidence.

As Editor, I must acknowledge and thank all those who came forward with crucial documentary evidence and verifiable material that strengthened the credibility of this platform’s reporting. This also includes members of our own editorial team, who endured pressure, hostility, and intimidation while remaining committed to speaking and writing the truth — nothing but the truth.

The objective was singular — to force accountability and trigger institutional reform.

If today the system is finally witnessing scrutiny, reform measures, and a renewed conversation around transparency and governance, then responsible journalism too has played its part.

However, the battle is only half won.

Cleaning up the HCA requires far more than a few inquiries or cosmetic administrative adjustments. It demands structural reforms, ethical leadership, financial transparency, and above all, a complete change in mindset among stakeholders.

This is where the role of newly appointed secretary R. C. Jeevan Reddy assumes significance.

Early indications suggest that Jeevan Reddy is functioning with seriousness, intent, and a clearly identifiable objective — restoring dignity to Hyderabad cricket. Unlike the culture of endless internal politics that paralysed the association for years, the new administration appears focused on cricketing priorities, governance, and institutional recovery.

That deserves encouragement.

At a time when cynicism surrounds every sports body in the country, Hyderabad cricket desperately needs administrators willing to work quietly, transparently, and decisively. If the present leadership is genuinely committed to reform, then all stakeholders — former players, clubs, media, cricket lovers, and civil society — must strengthen its hands.

More importantly, Justice Naveen Rao must be empowered with full authority and operational freedom to continue the cleansing process without fear or interference. Half-hearted reforms will only allow old networks to regroup and re-establish control. Hyderabad cricket cannot afford another cycle of manipulation and institutional capture.

The affiliated clubs too must introspect honestly.

Many club administrators abandoned the very spirit with which these cricket institutions were originally established. Instead of serving as nurseries for talent, several clubs became vehicles for influence, commercial interests, electoral bargaining, and personal enrichment. Positions within the HCA began to be viewed not as responsibilities, but as opportunities for access, contracts, control, and financial gain.

That culture destroyed the credibility of the association.

The time has now come for affiliated units to decide whether they wish to be custodians of cricket — or silent shareholders in its destruction.

If Hyderabad cricket must rise again, greed must give way to governance. Lobbying must give way to professionalism. Personal egos must surrender to institutional interest.

Orangenews9, having fulfilled its immediate objective of bringing these issues into the public domain and ensuring institutional intervention, will now shift focus toward constructively monitoring the ongoing reforms and positive initiatives being undertaken under the present set-up.

The role of responsible media is not merely to expose wrongdoing, but also to support and highlight sincere corrective efforts wherever they emerge.

Hyderabad cricket is too rich in history, legacy, and talent to remain trapped in endless controversy.

The cleansing has begun.

Now, Hyderabad cricket must ensure that this historic opportunity is not squandered yet again.

Institutions survive not merely through inquiries, but through sustained vigilance, honest leadership, and collective courage.