Hyderabad Cricket Association league from tomorrow

All eyes will be on Ambati Rayudu when the new league season of Hyderabad Cricket Association begins at various grounds in the city on Wednesday. Although, the fear of rain worries the administrators and team managements, there is no denying the hope that it is bound to provide good games as and when matches are played.

To make it more qualitative, the umpires have been ‘educated’ on the importance of how unbiased decision-making could help cleanse the system of the ill-gotten notoriety the Association has ‘earned’. Dubious decisions have wreaked havoc in league games to the extent that some teams came to near-blows as a consequence.

With international umpires like VK Ramaswamy, Ivaturi Shivram and Mohd Shamsuddin conducting ‘classes’ for the locals, a good augury has been set in motion, albeit belated. At least, there is this remote possibility of a partial change in the mindset of some umpires, particularly those keen on officiating in national-level matches after accomplishing the courses.

Another incentive for fans, and Hyderabad Ranji selectors, is the possible return of another prodigal son, Pragyan Ojha, who, like Rayudu, is reportedly heading home this year. Rayudu, who since moving out of Hyderabad had stints of varying periods with Andhra, Baroda and Vidarbha, is eyeing a national call on the basis of his Ranji exploits.

Determined to cement his slot as a regular, and steer the fortunes of the State team in its race for domestic supremacy, the Mumbai Indians player will be leading India Cements in the ensuing league season. However, in their haste to bring in players of proven calibre, HCA officials seem ignorant of the possible bad vibes that may prevail in the dressing room once the likes of Rayudu and Ojha return to Hyderabad fold.

As it is many loyalists are opposed to such comebacks by players who have deserted the team in search of greener pastures only to return after being snubbed in their adopted lands. Apparently, to accommodate these two, the axe will fall on some of the members who helped Hyderabad get a Ranji elevation in the season gone by. Nothing could be more tragic than this sort of obsessive step-motherly treatment.

Coming to the 17-team three-day A-1 Premier League Division, the format has been classified into Pool ‘A’ with nine teams and Pool ‘B’ that will have one team less than ‘A’. Missing out from action will be Ensconse and MP Colts that have been barred from participation as their respective owners Arshad Ayub and K John Manoj have been ‘suspended’ by the incumbent HCA panel in what has been generally presumed as a means to settle scores.

One fails to understand as to why they should play around with cricketers and rob them off their chances for a bright future. For a panel that is boasting of taking initiatives that are player-friendly and revolve around transparency and accountability, one is left dumbstruck that nothing is being made to make the grounds conducive for matches.

Squads: Pool A: Andhra Bank, BDL, Deccan Chronicle, EMCC, Income-Tax, Jai Hanuman, R Dayanand, SBI, Sporting XI; Pool B: AOC, Cambridge XI, Continental, Evergreen, Gemini Friends, Hyd Bottling, India Cements, SCR Sports Association.