Uppal Stadium stand renaming row: Azharuddin to challenge HCA Ombudsman’s order in court

Hyderabad: Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has decided to challenge the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s (HCA) Ombudsman ruling in the Telangana High Court, which sought  the immediate removal of the “Mohammed Azharuddin Stand” from the North Pavilion Stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.

“There is no conspiracy or personal gain involved in this. I do not wish to comment further. The cricketing world is watching and laughing at the state of this association. I had a 17-year-long cricketing career and captained the Indian team for nearly 10 years and I believe I deserve due recognition. Is this how cricketers are honoured in Hyderabad? This decision is unfortunate. We will definitely challenge this decision in the court and I am confident justice will prevail,” Azharuddin asserted.

The HCA’s Ombudsman passed the order following a petition filed by Lords Cricket Club, an HCA member, accusing Azharuddin of arbitrary decision-making during his presidency. Treasurer Somna Misra, who represented the petitioner, claimed a case of ‘conflict of interest’ in Azharuddin’s controversial decision to rename the North Stand after him.

Azharuddin served as the HCA president from 2019 to 2023. He chaired the Apex Council meeting on November 25, 2019 and authorised the renaming of the "VVS Laxman Pavilion" in his name.

Hearing the petition, Justice V Eswaraiah, the HCA's Ethics Officer and Ombudsman, said the former HCA president has violated Rule 38 of the HCA’s Memorandum of Association, which prevents office-bearers from making self-serving decisions.

During the hearing, the representative of Azharuddin claimed the renaming of North Pavilion Stand did not involve any financial gains, which was rejected. The former Indian skipper claimed that the charges are attempts to tarnish his reputation due to his uncompromising stance on corruption.

The Ethics Officer observed that the naming a stadium stand is beyond the authority of the Apex Council and no approval of the General Body was sought to ratify the decision.

“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.

The Ethics Officer has also ordered the HCA to stop the printing of tickets with Azharuddin's name on them going forward. It may be noted here that the five more matches are to be played in Hyderabad during the ongoing IPL 2025 season, which includes Qualifier 1 and Eliminator.