Senior members question HCA Apex Council over team selection bias

Senior members and former players of the Hyderabad Cricket Association questioned the Apex Council over alleged bias in State team selections. They urged Justice Naveen Rao to disband the current selection panel, calling it unconstitutional and formed in violation of Lodha Committee rules

Hyderabad: In a first of its kind, senior members, some of whom were also former office-bearers of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) and ex-players, questioned the HCA Apex Council including acting president Daljit Singh and in-charge secretary Basavaraju in a one-on-one interaction over alleged bias in picking State teams across age groups.

Interestingly, the meeting was recorded live.

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The members including Messrs Vanka Pratap (former Hyderabad cricketer), J Shivaji Yadav (former Ranji all-rounder and selector), Amarnath, Prakash Chand Jain, Vinod Ingle, Ravinder Singh and Agam Rao pointed out specific irregularities in the selection process.

“For instance, Mayank Gupta, Sai Vikas Reddy, S K Simha and Rishiket Sisodia, who have been performing consistently, were denied opportunities,” said PC Jain. “What is the purpose of conducting the HCA Leagues if selection is not done on merit?” he asked.

“It is a pity that some of the highly talented cricketers who have been performing consistently are being ignored repeatedly,” the members alleged.

Vinod said that a majority of the members were not happy with the selection process and were not even sure whether to raise the issue with the duly elected Apex Council or Justice (retd) Naveen Rao, who was appointed by the Telangana High Court in June 2025 to supervise HCA administration.

“Not following the rules of objective selection of teams is also one form of corruption,” the members said.

Amarnath questioned the locus standi of the selection committee headed by P Harimohan (former Ranji fast bowler), which he said was formed in violation of the rules and regulations of the Justice Lodha Committee.

“I request the Apex Council to bring to the notice of Justice Naveen Rao that the selection panel is unconstitutional,” he said.

Amarnath urged both Daljit Singh and Basavaraju to submit in writing to Justice Naveen Rao about the illegality of the selection panel.

“We appeal to Justice Naveen Rao to disband the incumbent selection panel and appoint a fresh committee. We have nothing personal against anyone but are only trying to highlight the irregularities in the selection process,” said PC Jain.

“I will request the CEO to go through this video (this evening’s interaction) and take remedial measures,” assured Daljit Singh to the agitated members.