The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has faced criticism after a decision was taken to remove the name of ex-India captain Mohammad Azharuddin from the North Pavilion Stand of the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal.
This ruling, given by Justice V Eswaraiah, Ombudsman and Ethics Officer of the HCA, has created a wave, with Azharuddin refuting charges of conflict of interest and pledging to appeal the order in the High Court.
The Decision to Strike Azharuddin’s Name
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The HCA had accepted a petition by the Lords Cricket Club requesting that Azharuddin’s name be removed from the pavilion, named in his honor while he was serving as president of the HCA. In their petition, it was stated that the naming of the stand after Azharuddin had not been approved by the General Body of the HCA, and therefore, Azharuddin was accused of overstepping his powers for personal motives.
In the 25-page judgment, Justice V. Eswaraiah ruled that this was a definite case of conflict of interest. He directed that Azharuddin’s name be removed from the stand and announced that his name would also be omitted from match tickets.
Major Points in the Judgment
Conflict of Interest: The decision quoted that Azharuddin’s actions ran counter to the power vested in him as president of HCA, indicating a misuse of authority for personal gain.
Removal of Name: Azharuddin’s name will no longer be seen on the North Pavilion Stand, nor will it be inscribed on tickets for games at the stadium.
Legal Action: Even after the ruling, Azharuddin has stated his willingness to legally challenge the decision in the Hyderabad High Court.
Azharuddin’s Response: Denial of Allegations
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Azharuddin, 62, has vehemently denied the conflict of interest charges, claiming that he had no involvement in having the stand named after him. In a tearful statement, Azharuddin complained about the way he has been treated, considering his long service to Indian cricket.
Azharuddin’s Statement
” Nothing wrong with this. I don’t want to react, I don’t want to sink to this level. The cricket community will laugh at the association. 17 years of cricketing life, nearly 10 as the captain of the team, and with pride. This is how you reward cricketers in Hyderabad. It’s a very pathetic state of affairs,” Azharuddin told The Hindu.
He assured that he would be contesting the decision in court, declaring, “100% The law will take its course.”
Lords Cricket Club’s Response
Although Azharuddin is going to contest the decision, the Lord’s Cricket Club, the petitioners, have said that they are pleased with the ruling. Somna Misra, treasurer of the club, welcomed the judgment, declaring:
“Such a move is a reiteration of our commitment to integrity and transparency. We appreciate the authorities for their impartial and fair assessment.”
Azharuddin’s Legacy in Indian Cricket
Mohammad Azharuddin is one of India’s greatest cricketers. He has made 6,215 runs in 99 Tests at 45.03 and 9,378 runs in 334 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) at 36.92. Azharuddin also has 22 centuries in Tests and seven in ODIs. Azharuddin captained India in 47 Tests and 174 ODIs, ranking him among India’s greatest captains in cricket history.
In spite of the controversy persisting, Azharuddin’s contribution to Indian cricket is unmatched, and his captaincy was instrumental in the team’s success in the 1990s.
HCA Remove Azharuddin Stand in IPL 2025
The decision to remove Azharuddin’s name from the stand in the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium has evoked considerable debate, particularly given Azharuddin’s illustrious cricketing career. While the HCA has cited conflict of interest as the rationale behind the decision, Azharuddin remains firm in his stance and plans to challenge the order in court.
This drama will most probably continue to dominate the headlines as the court proceedings take their course, and the cricket world waits for the ultimate judgment. For the moment, the issue of the dropping of Azharuddin’s name is likely to be a burning topic, particularly during the current IPL 2025 season.
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