Azharuddin Heartbroken As Hyderabad Cricket Body Removes His Name From Stadium Stand: 'Regret Playing'

Mohammad Azharuddin has expressed deep disappointment and anguish after the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) decided to remove his name from a stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal.

The former India captain described the move as a disgrace and called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to intervene and investigate the matter.

Photo Credit: PTI

The HCA received an official directive to erase Azharuddin's name from the North Pavilion Stand following serious allegations of favouritism during his tenure as HCA president.

The order, issued on Saturday by Justice V Eswaraiah, who serves as the Ethics Officer and Ombudsman for the HCA, followed a petition that brought the concerns to light.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, the complaint was filed by Lord's Cricket Club, a local body, which claimed that Azharuddin had shown a conflict of interest, taking decisions that allegedly served his own interests.

The petition accused him of undermining principles of fairness and impartiality expected of someone in a leadership role.

Azharuddin, speaking to Gulf News, said: "It pains me deeply to say this, but I sometimes regret having played cricket. It's heartbreaking to see individuals with little or no understanding of the game now in roles of influence. It's a complete disgrace to the sport."

He further declared his intent to pursue legal action: "I am determined to challenge this injustice legally and call upon the BCCI to take appropriate action. This is not an isolated incident - even Sunrisers Hyderabad had a dispute with the HCA over passes, revealing a broader pattern of poor governance."

The HCA has also been instructed not to include Azharuddin's name on tickets for any remaining matches at the stadium during the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

The venue is set to host five more matches, including three home fixtures for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the crucial Qualifier 1 and Eliminator matches in the IPL playoffs.

"What's happening is beyond comprehension, and it hurts me personally," Azharuddin added. "I was barred from contesting the HCA elections merely because I exposed corruption within the system. That truth made me a target."

In addition to seeking the removal of Azharuddin's name, the petitioner requested that the North Pavilion Stand be renamed in honour of VVS Laxman - another Hyderabad-born cricketer known for his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket.

The plea suggested the stand be officially referred to as the "VVS Laxman Pavilion" on all signage, printed materials, and tickets.

The petitioner also urged the Ombudsman to take any further steps necessary to uphold justice and fairness in light of the case.