Hyderabad’s cricket legacy, once the pride of Indian sports, is at a troubling crossroads. This season, Hyderabad’s senior, under-23, and under-19 teams have all underperformed, falling to teams like Uttarakhand, Baroda, and Chhattisgarh. Even the state’s women’s team faced defeats against Jharkhand and Bengal. Once known for producing legends like Ghulam Ahmed, ML Jaisimha and VVS Laxman, Hyderabad’s cricket scene now languishes under ineffective leadership, poor coaching, and allegations of corruption. The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), a former powerhouse of Indian cricket, appears to be struggling with systemic issues—issues that call for nothing less than a complete overhaul.
In the golden era of the 1960s and ’70s, the HCA was respected for producing top-tier cricketers who represented India on the world stage. This legacy extended well into the 1980s, with administrators like P.R. Mansingh guiding the association and contributing to Indian cricket’s development. Mansingh himself became manager of India’s World Cup-winning team in 1983, a testament to Hyderabad’s strong influence in the cricketing world.
Under Mansingh’s leadership, Hyderabad cricket thrived. The association not only cultivated local talent but also expanded cricket’s popularity across the state. Mansingh’s reputation laid the foundation for what should have been a sustained legacy. However, that foundation started to crack with time, and the HCA’s current struggles underscore how far it has drifted from its golden days.
The HCA’s decline began during the tenure of former player Shivlal Yadav, who was later accused of fostering an environment of favouritism and corruption. Allegedly, HCA selection decisions at all levels—from the senior Ranji team to the under-16 squads—were influenced by backdoor deals and bribes. Yadav’s era also saw the HCA entangled in a construction scandal related to the Uppal cricket stadium, a project tainted by allegations of financial misconduct. This troubled legacy was carried forward by his contemporaries, including Arshad Ayub and Mohammad Azharuddin, who later assumed administrative roles but struggled to steer the association away from these long-standing issues.
As corruption scandals grew, the judiciary eventually intervened, and the Supreme Court-appointed former Justice L. Nageswara Rao to clean up the association. However, despite high hopes, Rao’s tenure has been marked by what many see as disappointing results. HCA insiders and fans alike have voiced concerns over Rao’s reliance on former players and administrators implicated in prior scandals. This has led some to question whether the intervention has inadvertently preserved the very problems it aimed to fix.
The Apex Committee’s recent decision to hire former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad as a consultant has stirred controversy. Prasad, hailing from neighbouring Karnataka, reportedly commands a consultancy fee of Rs75 lakh. Not only has Prasad appointed nearly all his support staff from outside the state, but they are also reportedly being paid hefty sums. The committee’s decision to overlook qualified local talent in favour of outsiders has frustrated many Hyderabad cricket fans who see this as a financial misstep.
Furthermore, as someone who began my journalism career with the renowned sports magazine Sportworld from Anand Bazar Patrika, edited by India’s prolific former captain, the Nawab of Pataudi, I share the view that the association’s funds—intended to develop cricket at the grassroots level—are being misused. By appointing high-cost external consultants and support staff, the HCA risks neglecting club-level and district-level cricket, where the state’s future stars are meant to emerge. Critics argue that this “outsourcing” of talent highlights the current administration’s disconnect from the local cricketing community.
One striking irony in the HCA’s recent decisions is its preference for outsiders over accomplished local experts. MV Narasimha Rao, a celebrated former Indian Test cricketer from Hyderabad—affectionately known as Bobji—was instrumental in helping Hyderabad win the prestigious Ranji Trophy in 1986-87 after a 49-year wait (their first victory was in 1937-38). Despite his achievements, Rao was overlooked for a consultant role, sparking criticism of “Ghar ka Murgi Dal Barabar,” a phrase that implies undervaluing local talent. Many believe his deep knowledge of Hyderabad cricket, along with his proven record, could have been invaluable in revitalizing the association.
This choice to favour outsiders extends beyond consultants; it permeates team selections, training camps, and infrastructure decisions. Hyderabad cricket’s roots are strong, but without nurturing homegrown talent, the HCA risks further eroding the region’s proud legacy.
The Apex Committee’s financial decisions have sparked a public outcry. The massive consultancy fees, coupled with high costs for accommodating out-of-state staff, are seen as reckless spending at a time when district and club cricket requires urgent investment. For Hyderabad cricket to recover, its financial management needs a reset. Supporters argue that funds must be directed toward grassroots development, rather than costly administrative appointments that deliver questionable returns.
Hyderabad’s cricket fans are now urging greater accountability from the HCA leadership. They question whether the committee’s spending aligns with the association’s broader mission and whether these high-profile appointments are indeed necessary.
The HCA’s ongoing turmoil has led many to call for government intervention. Fans believe that the state administration, led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, could appoint local cricket veterans—such as Naushir Mehta, a skilled off-spinner of his era, who competed alongside legends like Prasanna and Chandrasekhar, or Jyoti Prasad, a speedster in the age of Kapil Dev and Yuvraj Singh—as well as sports journalists to review the HCA’s functioning and help steer it back on track. Some have even suggested involving officials with experience in both cricket and administration, like Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand, who has a strong cricketing background, to assist in restructuring the association.
With such an overhaul, the HCA could return to being a beacon of cricketing excellence rather than a scandal-ridden organization. The proposal to involve former players, respected administrators, and journalists in a cleanup effort reflects the growing consensus that the HCA’s current state cannot be rectified without a fundamental shift in leadership and vision.
Restoring the HCA to its former glory requires more than just new faces; it demands a return to the values that once made it great. This means prioritizing transparency, nurturing local talent, and investing in grassroots development. The HCA must also address the persistent culture of favouritism that has plagued its operations for decades.
The crisis facing Hyderabad cricket is symptomatic of a deeper rot within the HCA’s structure. Without a comprehensive overhaul, Hyderabad risks losing its cricketing legacy entirely. Fans, players, and administrators must unite to demand better leadership, stronger accountability, and a renewed focus on the sport. If the HCA can reestablish its integrity and realign its goals, it has the potential to once again become a powerhouse in Indian cricket. For Hyderabad cricket to rise again, this change is not just necessary—it is long overdue.
