A furious row has broken out between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) over claims that SRH officials were coerced by HCA to offer free match passes. The controversy has stirred up a lot of attention, with SRH said to be upset and vowing to leave their home venue, Uppal Stadium. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has stepped in, seriously taking the issue and directing a proper probe, warning that stern action will be initiated if harassment is found to have taken place. The Director General of Vigilance has been directed to probe the charges.
The crux of the controversy is the allegations that HCA officials harassed SRH for more free passes. It is reported that the corporate box at Uppal Stadium, which can otherwise accommodate 50 tickets, saw its capacity downgraded to 30, and HCA had asked for 20 additional tickets. When SRH tried initiating a dialogue on the matter, it is alleged that the corporate box was bolted shut once during a game, on condition that it will be opened if the additional tickets are offered.
SRH’s General Manager, Sreenath, is reported to have issued a letter to HCA Treasurer Srinivas Rao, stating that SRH had been issued passes for the last two years but was now being harassed for extra passes. He also seemed to suggest that HCA no longer wanted SRH to play at Uppal Stadium and indicated that the team might have to seek an alternative home ground with the help of the BCCI, Telangana government, and the IPL governing council.
HCA has vigorously denied these allegations, saying they have not had any official word from SRH on the matter. The association labeled the rumors as unfounded, saying that they were a smear campaign against HCA’s image. HCA also expressed concern over the leaking of emails on the subject, wondering why they had not been sent through official means.
To this, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directed his office to gather more information and instructed the Vigilance Director General to launch a formal investigation into the case. He assured that all such people who have harassed SRH for free passes will be taken action against accordingly. While this saga continues, it has already triggered huge debate, and people are looking forward to the findings of the probe.
