TCA demands scrapping of Hyderabad Ranji squad, threatens BCCI protest

The Telangana Cricket Association has demanded the scrapping of Hyderabad’s Ranji Trophy squad, alleging selection irregularities and neglect of district-level talent. It threatened a mass protest at BCCI headquarters and plans to recommend outstanding performers from its Under-19 State League Championship.

Hanamkonda: Alleging serious irregularities in team selection and commercial interests overriding merit, the Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) has demanded the immediate scrapping of the existing Hyderabad Ranji Trophy squad.

Alleging systematic neglect of cricketing talent across Telangana’s 32 districts, the TCA also threatened to mobilise thousands of young cricketers for a mass protest at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai if the concerns raised by district-level players continued to be ignored.

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The proposed agitation, the association said, would seek to draw the national cricket administration’s attention to the need for equitable opportunities and a transparent selection system.

Speaking to the media here on Monday, TCA general secretary Dharam Guruva Reddy and vice-president Dr Pesaroo Vijay Chander Reddy accused the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) of concentrating opportunities in limited pockets of Hyderabad at the expense of promising cricketers from the rest of Telangana.

Guruva Reddy questioned the selection process overseen by Ambati Rayudu and HCA secretary Jeevan Reddy, alleging that places in the Ranji squad had been allotted to individuals associated with cricket-kit and T-shirt vendor companies, while deserving local Telangana players were left out.

He said the HCA leadership should participate in an open debate on the selection process, the criteria adopted and the alleged exclusion of district-level talent. Complaints of alleged cash-for-selection practices could not be brushed aside, he said, stressing the need for accountability and transparency in selecting players to represent Hyderabad in domestic cricket.

Dr Vijay Chander Reddy accused the HCA of failing to adequately identify and nurture talent across the 32 districts. The future of Telangana cricket depended on a system that reached the grassroots rather than one that concentrated opportunities within a narrow geographical area, he said.

The TCA intends to field teams representing all 32 districts of Telangana in domestic cricket competitions to create a wider platform for local talent. Cricketers from rural and district backgrounds must receive a fair opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and progress to higher levels, the association leaders said.

The TCA leaders spoke to the media on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Under-19 State League Championship at Kakatiya University Grounds, featuring 16 teams. Exceptional performers in the tournament would be officially recommended to the BCCI to ensure merit-based opportunities for young cricketers, they said.

TCA zonal convener and district secretary Thallapelli Jaipal Reddy, Technical Committee member Chittaranjan, Allam Venkateshwarlu, coach Shafi and senior cricketers Navarasan and Aditya were present.