The Indian Premier League (IPL) organisers once again upset the Hyderabad fans. After not talking local players in the Sunrisers Hyderabad team, they are not playing any match in Hyderabad.
According to the sources, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) announced the dates of the IPL 2021 edition. The match is scheduled to begin from the 9th of April.
In this edition, Hyderabad’s chances of hosting any of the matches look bleak. The fans are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping that the situation will take a turn for the better.
If Hyderabad is not allowed to host any IPL match, it will be a double whammy for the cricket lovers of Hyderabad. It will be like adding insult to injury as the saying goes.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Government also stepped in with Mr. K T. Rama Rao, the Working President of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS.) KTR recently tweeted in favour of Hyderabad’s ability to play host to the IPL matches. He has issued an open appeal to the BCCI and to the IPL governing body officials to include Hyderabad as one of the host cities.
To back up his appeal he has mentioned that the state’s COVID-19 management methods have proved effective as is reflected in the low number of cases when compared to some other cities. He assured the organisers of full support from the Government.
Mr. Rao is a man in a powerful position and if he has assured the support and cooperation of the state government, then surely many of the hurdles would be removed. The BCCI should seriously consider the appeal made by the working President of the TRS before making a final decision on Hyderabad’s ability to be the IPL host.
However, there is one more angle to the issue. The other factor that has gone against Hyderabad is the widespread allegations of mismanagement in the state cricket body. Over the last few years there have been allegations of corruption and bribery in selection of teams and infighting within the association’s groups. Players and their parents have expressed frustration and unhappiness at the way the game is being managed in Hyderabad.
These allegations are of a serious nature and need to be dealt with urgently and firmly. The HCA has to clean up its act and adopt a transparent system of functioning so as to restore the confidence and morale of the players who strive for excellence with hope in their hearts.
Meanwhile, young cricket fans of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are stuck in limbo. They are hoping that there will be a change in their fortunes at the last moment and the authorities in power will see Hyderabad in a favourable light. And thereby allow the city to host matches. As everyone knows, watching the contests on television at home is one thing and watching them live at the ground is quite another.
The question that arises is: In what way is Hyderabad behind or inferior to the cities that have been selected in the short list. The selected cities include Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Delhi. But in the past, Hyderabad has hosted IPL matches very successfully and can do it again this year too if given the chance. That is the general feeling among fans, players and officials of the twin cities.
Stay tuned for further updates.
