The Chief Minister apparently sought complete details about the whole issue and ordered a vigilance enquiry.
Updated On – 31 March 2025, 06:14 PM
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has ordered a vigilance enquiry into the alleged indifference of the top brass of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) towards senior officials of Sunrisers Hyderabad, the IPL franchise that uses Rajiv Gandhi Stadium (Uppal) as its home venue.
“Once the enquiry report is submitted, serious action will be taken against the erring officials, and no one will be spared,” was the message from the Chief Minister’s office, according to a senior HCA official.
“The issue has taken a very serious turn since the Chief Minister felt the brand image of the HCA is at stake, and there is a strong feeling that nothing should be done that might lead to SRH deciding to shift their ‘home’ base from the city,” the official informed Telangana Today.
Interestingly, the senior official also expressed hope that this time, at least some action would be taken—unlike six months ago when a vigilance enquiry was ordered following a demand by Bhongir Member of Parliament Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy. That enquiry focused on irregularities in tender processing, the lack of multi-level parking measures, and the failure to establish full-fledged cricket facilities in Mahabubnagar despite HCA acquiring the ground. “But nothing concrete has emerged from that inquiry,” the official added.
The official also questioned why audit reports, assigned to a corporate firm with an annual payment of ₹20 lakhs, were not being circulated among the members. “More importantly, no action is being taken against those involved in any wrongful activities,” he said.
There is serious discontent among former Ranji and international players regarding the issue of complimentary tickets for international matches and the IPL.
A couple of members of the Apex Council also raised concerns over the large amounts spent on hiring coaches from other states, while experienced local coaches—who have served cricket with passion and produced results—were being ignored.