Mohammad Azharuddin declares legal war on HCA after order to remove his name from stadium stand

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin is set to move the Telangana High Court to challenge the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) Ombudsman's order. The Hyderabad Cricket Association has been ordered to remove Azharuddin's name from the North Stand of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Azharuddin represented India in international cricket between 1985 and 2000. He played 99 Tests and 334 ODIs, amassing 6,215 and 9,378 runs respectively. However, he was banned by the BCCI after South African cricketer Hansie Cronje reportedly claimed that Azhar had introduced him to bookies.

HCA Told to Remove Azharuddin Stand at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium

The North Stand at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad — formerly the VVS Laxman Pavilion — was renamed the Azharuddin Stand in 2019. This change happened during Mohammad Azharuddin’s tenure as president of the HCA, raising questions about a potential conflict of interest.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Recently, the HCA was directed to remove Azharuddin’s name from the stand on Saturday. The order came from Justice (Retd) V Eswaraiah, who is the Ethics Officer and Ombudsman for the HCA. The association has also been instructed not to include Azharuddin’s name on any future match tickets.

Lack of General Body Ratification Strengthens Case - Justice Eswaraiah

This decision came after a petition filed by the Lords Cricket Club, a member of the HCA, who alleged that Azharuddin misused his authority to rename the stand in his own honour without securing approval from the General Body. The cricket club filed the complaint in February, citing a conflict of interest.

"The fact that there has been no ratification/modification of the decision by the General Body further strengthens the case against the Respondent No. 1 (Azharuddin), as the Respondent No. 1 has exceeded his authority to benefit himself. In consequence of my findings, a clear case of conflict of interest is made out," Justice V Eswaraiah declared in his 25-page verdict.

Mohammad Azharuddin to Challenge Ombudsman’s Order in Court

Mohammad Azharuddin has expressed displeasure over the HCA ombudsman's directive to remove his name from a stadium stand. The former India captain stated that he will challenge the order in court and seek a stay from the High Court.

"I will definitely take legal recourse and will be appealing to the High Court to stay this order. It is a shame that an India captain's name is being asked to be removed," Mohammad Azharuddin told PTI.

“He hasn't got an extension, which can only be granted during an AGM, which hasn’t even taken place,” Mohammad Azharuddin asserted.

Azharuddin, who was president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) from 2019 to 2023, said the current administration was targeting him due to his refusal to allow corruption during his tenure. He criticized those who have never played the game, calling them "crooks."

“Crooks, who’ve never held a bat in their lives, are pointing fingers at me. Laxman’s name is still on the pavilion. Go and check. I will not take these insults lying down,” he added.

Also read: Jason Gillespie accuses PCB of not paying him his Salary, labels this Pakistan player as Selfish