New Delhi: Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin expressed deep disappointment and anger at the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s decision to remove his name from a stadium stand. He considers this action a dishonor and has appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to intervene.
Following allegations of bias against former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been officially instructed to remove his name from the North Pavilion Stand. This order, issued Saturday by HCA Ethics Officer and Ombudsman Justice V Eswaraiah, stems from a submitted petition.
Lord’s Cricket Club filed a formal complaint with Cricbuzz, alleging that Azharuddin, while president of the HCA, acted in a manner that constituted a conflict of interest, prioritizing personal gain over impartial decision-making. The complaint cited specific instances of self-serving actions that violated the expected standards of fairness and objectivity for his leadership role.
“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 was quoted as saying by Gulf News.
“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.”
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been ordered to remove Mohammad Azharuddin’s name from all IPL 2025 match tickets. This directive follows a previous order to rename facilities. The impact is significant, as the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, where Azharuddin’s name was previously featured, will host five more IPL matches, including key playoff games.
“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,” added Azharuddin.
Lord’s Cricket Club petitioned not only for the removal of Azharuddin’s name from a stand, but also proposed renaming it the VVS Laxman Pavilion. This request encompassed all official materials, including signage and tickets, to honor Laxman’s significant contributions to Indian cricket.
The petitioner requested the Ombudsman to take any further action necessary to ensure a just and fair resolution, given the specifics of the case.
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