Islamabad, 22 April 2025: Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin is deeply upset over HCA’s decision to remove his name from a stadium stand.
The decision follows allegations of conflict of interest during his time as HCA president.
The directive, issued by HCA’s Ombudsman and Ethics Officer Justice V Eswaraiah, came in response to a petition filed by Lord’s Cricket Club, a local organization.
The complaint alleged that Azharuddin made decisions that benefited his own interests, raising concerns about transparency and impartiality within the association.
The Ombudsman ordered Azharuddin’s name removed from all official IPL 2025 materials after finding merit in the complaint.
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The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium is set to host several key matches, including fixtures involving Sunrisers Hyderabad and two IPL playoff games.
Reacting to the decision, Azharuddin described the move as “heartbreaking” and said it felt like an insult to his contributions to the sport.
He questioned the qualifications of those in charge of cricket administration today and criticised what he sees as a pattern of poor governance within the HCA.
Azharuddin also revealed his intent to pursue legal action, calling on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to investigate the issue.
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He claimed he had been barred from contesting recent HCA elections due to his vocal criticism of internal corruption.
In a further development, the petitioners recommended renaming the stand after another Hyderabad cricket legend, VVS Laxman.
They urged the HCA to make the change official on stadium signage and in all match-related materials.
The case has reignited debate around governance in sports bodies and the treatment of former players.
As the IPL season continues, the matter casts a shadow over cricketing affairs in Hyderabad, drawing attention to deeper issues within regional cricket administration.
