High Court appoints Vanka Pratap, Naveen Rao to conduct HCA leagues

The Telangana High Court appointed Justice P. Naveen Rao and Vanka Pratap to oversee the 2025–26 HCA leagues, citing delays and granting them authority, honorarium, and full operational coordination rights

Hyderabad: Justice E.V. Venugopal of the High Court of Telangana has issued orders that Justice P. Naveen Rao (Retd), who submitted a supervisory report dated 13.4.2025 and gained considerable expertise in the affairs of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), shall conduct the league matches for the 2025–26 season without any delay.

The High Court, responding to a writ petition filed by Jai Hanuman Club—represented by its general secretary K. Lakshmi Narasimha Rao—observed that the inordinate delay in conducting the annual HCA leagues was detrimental to the interests of players, particularly regarding selections for various State teams. The court further noted that substantial time had been lost due to technicalities or the incapability of the respondents (including the HCA) in organizing the league matches.

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The High Court also stated that Vanka Pratap (former India A cricketer), who was appointed as a member of the committee constituted by the Honourable Supreme Court on 22.08.2022 to supervise the management of HCA’s affairs, shall be appointed as the coordinator for conducting the league matches by assisting, cooperating, and coordinating with Justice P. Naveen Rao (Retd) and the HCA.

“All the respondents (including HCA) shall assist, cooperate, and coordinate with Justice P. Naveen Rao (Retd), in coordination with Vanka Pratap, without causing any hindrance in conducting the league matches for the 2025–26 season,” the High Court said.

The court further ordered a fixed honorarium of Rs 3 lakhs per month to be paid to Justice Naveen Rao and Rs 2 lakhs per month to Vanka Pratap.

It was also stated that Justice Naveen Rao is authorized to form a team—including selectors, observers, etc.—for conducting the league matches with the assistance and coordination of Vanka Pratap.

“This is made clear that this order shall not preclude the official respondents from conducting the AGM and from following the rules as contemplated under the bye-laws of respondent No.2 (HCA). Both the interlocutory applications are ordered accordingly,” the High Court said.