Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin has lashed out at the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) following the removal of his name from a stadium stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, calling the move “heartbreaking” and “disgraceful.” In a scathing reaction, Azharuddin expressed personal anguish over the decision and urged the BCCI to intervene.
“It pains me deeply to say this, but I sometimes regret having played cricket. 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,” Azharuddin told Gulf News.
The controversy follows a bitter fallout between Azharuddin and the HCA, stemming from his tenure as the association’s president and his outspoken stance against alleged mismanagement and corruption within the organization. Azharuddin claimed that his efforts to expose internal corruption made him a target.
“What’s unfolding is beyond comprehension, and it hurts me on a personal level. I was not allowed to contest the HCA elections simply because I exposed the corruption within the system. That truth made me a target,” he added.
The decision to strip Azharuddin’s name from the stand has sparked criticism across the cricketing community, with many pointing to the former skipper’s legacy and contributions to Indian cricket. Azharuddin made it clear that he intends to challenge the move legally.
“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,” he said.
As the rift between Azharuddin and the HCA intensifies, calls for greater accountability within cricket administration in Hyderabad have grown louder. The controversy raises broader concerns about how cricketing legacies are treated and the governance of local cricket bodies in India.
