New Delhi: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy ordered an inquiry into the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) feud with the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) on Monday, as revealed by official sources. The Hyderabad-based IPL franchise has alleged that the HCA of blackmailing them over free match tickets and therefore sought intervention of the cricket governing bodies to halt the recurring “blackmailing tactics” by the state unit.
However, the HCA has denied all such charges by the franchise. In a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council, Sunrisers Hyderabad sought help from them, alleging that the HCA was “threatening” the franchise, primarily for more free passes to the SRH games at the Uppal Stadium.
It also led the franchise to mull over shifting their home matches to another state of the issue persisted. Meanwhile, HCA president A Jagan Mohan Rao denied all allegations, saying that no such demands were ever made to the franchise. The matter has reached the state ministry and with no further delay, the state CM has already initiated a probe into it.
What did the letter state?
SRH team manager Srinath TB sent a letter to HCA treasurer CJ Srinivas stating that the franchise won’t be submissive to their forced attempts to extract free tickets. He claimed that it all began in 2024, and pointing out with an incident how they were locked out of a VIP box in their home game against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) 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.”
Srinath threatened that the team would have to opt for leaving the city and shift their home base someplace else if the issue persisted any further. “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,” Srinath said. The HCA confirmed that they have received the letter and assured to find a solution to it.
Sunrisers Hyderabad were allegedly blackmailed by the Hyderabad Cricket Association for more complimentary match tickets leading to the franchise voicing it in a letter to the BCCI. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
