Mohammad Azharuddin Regrets Playing Cricket After Stadium Honour Revoked; Urges BCCI to Act

Mohammad Azharuddin, the former captain of India, has launched an all-out attack against the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) for removing a personal recognition at the city's biggest cricket ground.

The former HCA president from 2019 to 2023 said he was "heartbroken" at the Ombudsman's order to take his name off the North Stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

“It pains me deeply to say this, but I sometimes regret having played cricket,” he told IANS. “It’s heartbreaking to see individuals with little to no understanding of the game now in positions to teach and lead. It’s a complete disgrace to the sport.”

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Legal fight and call for BCCI intervention

The former captain vowed to pursue the matter legally and alleged a bigger case of mismanagement within the HCA, calling upon the BCCI to intervene.

“I am determined to pursue legal action against this injustice, and I urge the BCCI to intervene and take appropriate action. This issue isn’t isolated — Sunrisers Hyderabad also had a dispute with the association over passes, highlighting a pattern of conflict and poor governance.”

“What’s unfolding is beyond comprehension, and it hurts me on a personal level,” he added. “I was not allowed to contest the HCA elections simply because I exposed the corruption within the system. That truth made me a target.”

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Ethics officer’s ruling sparks controversy

The name removal was ordered by HCA ethics officer Justice (Retd) V. Eswaraiah upon a petition filed by Lords Cricket Club, a member unit of the state body.

The petition alleged that Azharuddin had acted in conflict of interest during his tenure as HCA president by getting a resolution sanctioned within one month of his assumption as president to name the North Stand after himself. Such an amendment to the HCA constitution required ratification by the General Body, which, according to the petition, had been bypassed.

Azharuddin's removal from the stand comes amid turbulent times for the HCA; infighting and allegations of administrative negligence have made headlines repeatedly.

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