Mohammad Azharuddin, former Indian cricket captain and ex-president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), will no longer have a stadium stand named after him at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad. The HCA has been directed to remove his name from the North Pavilion Stand following a conflict of interest complaint filed by the Lords Cricket Club.
The Background
The stand was originally named after another Hyderabad cricketing legend, VVS Laxman. However, in 2019, during Azharuddin’s tenure as HCA president, the North Stand was renamed in his honor. This decision sparked controversy, especially since it wasn’t ratified by the HCA General Body—a violation of Rule 38 of the HCA constitution, which prohibits Apex Council members from passing decisions that benefit themselves.
The Lords Cricket Club filed a petition earlier this year, accusing Azharuddin of taking a “high-handed” decision that created a clear conflict of interest. The matter was taken up by HCA Ombudsman and Ethics Officer Justice V Eswaraiah, who issued a 25-page order calling for the immediate removal of Azharuddin’s name from all official communications, including signages and printed tickets.
Ombudsman’s Verdict
In his ruling, Justice Eswaraiah stated:
“The Respondent No. 1 (Azharuddin) has exceeded his authority to benefit himself. A clear case of conflict of interest is made out.”
He further pointed out the lack of General Body ratification, reinforcing the illegitimacy of the renaming.
Reactions
Azharuddin responded strongly to the ruling, calling it “a sad state of affairs” and announced his intention to challenge the decision in court:
“There’s no conflict of interest in this… The cricketing world will laugh at the association. 17 years of cricket, almost 10 years as captain… this is how you treat cricketers in Hyderabad. We will go to court—100%.”
The Lords Cricket Club, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction with the verdict. Treasurer Somna Misra said:
“This decision reinforces our commitment to transparency and integrity. We thank the authorities for their fair and just evaluation.”
Azharuddin’s Cricket Legacy
Mohammad Azharuddin represented India between 1985 and 2000. He played 99 Tests and 334 ODIs, scoring over 15,000 international runs and 29 centuries. However, his cricketing legacy took a major hit when he was banned by the BCCI for alleged involvement in match-fixing, after former South African captain Hansie Cronje claimed Azhar introduced him to bookies.
Though his lifetime ban was later overturned by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2012, Azharuddin never returned to international cricket.
What’s Next?
The Hyderabad Cricket Association must now comply with the Ombudsman’s order and reinstate the original name—VVS Laxman Pavilion—for the North Stand. Azharuddin has vowed to fight the decision legally, potentially leading to a protracted court battle that could set further precedents in how cricket associations handle ethical governance.
This controversy marks yet another chapter in the administrative turmoil that has often plagued Indian cricket’s domestic structures, raising questions about transparency, governance, and the role of former players in cricket administration.
