The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) is set to remove the name of former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin from the North Pavilion Stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal. This decision comes after an order was issued by Justice V. Eswaraiah, the ethics officer and ombudsman of the HCA, following a complaint from the Lords Cricket Club (LCC). The complaint, which was filed on February 28, 2025, alleged that Azharuddin had engaged in a conflict of interest by naming the stand after himself during his tenure as HCA president.
Justice Eswaraiah's ruling mandates that no tickets bearing Azharuddin's name should be printed in the future, citing that the decision to rename the North Stand was made without proper approval from the HCA's General Body. In a 25-page judgment, he stated, "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."
The controversy traces back to a meeting held on November 25, 2019, where Azharuddin presided over the decision to name the North Stand after himself, previously known as the V.V.S. Laxman Pavilion. The LCC argued that this action violated the HCA's Memorandum of Association and Rules & Regulations, asserting that such a decision should not be made unilaterally by a member of the Apex Council.
In response to the ruling, Azharuddin has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that there was no conflict of interest involved. He expressed his disappointment with the treatment he has received despite his long-standing contributions to Indian cricket, stating, "There’s no conflict of interest in this. I don’t want to comment, I don’t want to stoop to this level. The cricketing world will laugh at the association. 17 years of cricket, almost 10 years as captain of the side, and with distinction. This is how you treat cricketers in Hyderabad. It’s a very sad state of affairs. We will go to the court, 100%. The law will take its course," he told The Hindu.
The LCC has welcomed the decision, with treasurer Somna Misra commenting, "This decision reinforces our commitment to transparency and integrity. We thank the authorities for their fair and just evaluation." The ruling is seen as a significant step in maintaining ethical standards within the HCA and ensuring that decisions are made in accordance with established regulations.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, the removal of Azharuddin's name from the stadium stands as a reminder of the scrutiny that governing bodies face regarding potential conflicts of interest. The HCA is expected to implement the changes promptly, restoring the North Stand's original title as the V.V.S. Laxman Pavilion.
This incident highlights the delicate balance between honoring past players and adhering to governance protocols in sports organizations. With the cricketing community closely watching, the outcomes of this ruling may set a precedent for how similar issues are handled in the future.
Azharuddin, who scored 6,215 runs in 99 Tests at an average of 45.03 and 9,378 runs from 334 ODIs at an average of 36.92, has had a storied career. He led India in 47 Tests and 174 ODIs, making significant contributions to the sport. However, this latest development raises questions about the appropriateness of naming facilities after individuals who hold positions of power within the organizations governing those facilities.
With the HCA now under pressure to act in accordance with the Ombudsman's ruling, the cricketing world watches closely to see if this decision will lead to more stringent regulations regarding conflicts of interest within sports associations. The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining integrity in the governance of sports, ensuring that the legacies of past players are honored in a manner that is both respectful and ethically sound.
As the dust settles on this ruling, it remains to be seen how Azharuddin will proceed with his challenge to the decision in the High Court and what implications it may have for future governance in cricket.
