New Delhi: Sunrisers Hyderabad claim to have faced intimidation and coercion over Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 tickets, and have threatened to leave the city they are based in.
They have levelled allegations of blackmailing against Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), particularly its president Jagan Mohan Rao, according to report by the Times of India.
In a letter written to HCA treasurer CJ Srinivas, Sunrisers Hyderabad team manager Srinath TB has stated that they wouldn’t be submissive to forced attempts to prise out free tickets.
He has claimed that unacceptable behaviour from HCA officials began in 2024, pointing out how they were locked out of a VIP box on their home game against Lucknow Super Giants at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium last Thursday (March 27).
“For several years, HCA has been allocated 50 complimentary tickets (F12A box) as part of the 3,900 complimentary tickets. However, this year, you are claiming the capacity of the box to be only 30 and requesting an additional 20 complimentary tickets in a different box. When this was brought to our notice, we informed you that we would discuss and reach a mutually amicable solution,” Srinath said.
“Please note that we pay the appropriate rent for the stadium, and during the IPL tenure, the stadium is under our jurisdiction. However, in the last match, you locked the F3 box, refusing to open it unless 20 extra free tickets were given to you. This unprofessional behaviour creates a hostile environment, making cooperation increasingly difficult.”
‘Will relocate’
Srinath also claimed that on multiple occasions, Jagan Mohan Rao threatened SRH staff, also reminding it wasn’t the first instance of demand for greater number of free tickets.
If things don’t improve, Sunrisers Hyderabad would look to relocate to another city as lodge a formal complaint with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“All these unprofessional threats and actions by HCA, particularly by the HCA president, make it clear that you do not want SunRisers to play at your stadium. If that is the case, please confirm this in writing so that we can inform the BCCI, the Telangana government, and our management that you wish for us to move to another venue, and we will relocate accordingly,” Srinath wrote.
“We have been working with HCA for the last 12 years. Only from last season have we been facing constant issues and harassment from HCA.”
HCA president Rao admitted to have received the letter and assured to find an amicable solution.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have levelled allegations of blackmailing against Hyderabad Cricket Association president Jagan Mohan Rao over IPL 2025 match tickets. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
