IPL season of controversies: SRH allege ‘intimidation, threats and coercion’ from HCA, threaten to move out of Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad co-owner Kavya Maran (PTI/File Photo)

The ‘home advantage’ debate at Eden Gardens and Chepauk was followed by a reported fallout between Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA)... Welcome to the IPL season of controversies.

If reports are to be believed, then the relationship between SRH and the state association has reached a point that the IPL franchise, last year's finalists, are contemplating moving out of Hyderabad - the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium to be precise. The allegations are of very serious nature - intimidation and blackmailing by the HCA blazers for free tickets.

As per a report in the Times of India, SRH general manager, Srinath TB, has written a letter to HCA treasurer CJ Srinivas Rao, stating that they have taken strong exception to such behaviour.

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“All these unprofessional threats and actions by HCA, especially by the HCA president, make it evident that you don't want Sunrisers to play at your stadium. If that is the case, please let me know in writing so that we can inform BCCI, the Telangana govt, and our management that you wish for us to move to another venue, and we will move," Srinath wrote in the email, according to Times of India.

The phone calls to HCA president A Jagan Mohan Rao and secretary R Devaraj went unanswered. Former HCA secretary John Manoj, however, expressed his surprise over the development. “I can't comment on what's happening now. But when I was there, and our committee was there, we never had any problems with the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise. Our relationship was always cordial,” Manoj told this correspondent.

A huge dispute reportedly emerged between the franchise and the HCA after representatives from the state association allegedly locked up a box on the day of the match between SRH and Lucknow Super Giants on March 27.

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“For several years, HCA has been allocated 50 complimentary tickets (F12A box) as a part of the 3,900 complimentary tickets. However, this year, you are claiming the capacity of the box to be only 30 and asking for an additional 20 complimentary tickets in a different box. When this was brought to our notice, we informed you that we shall discuss and come to a mutually amicable solution,” the franchise’s general manager wrote in the email.

He drove home the point that SRH pay “the appropriate rent for the stadium” and that during the tenure of the IPL, the stadium is under the franchise’s “jurisdiction”. Srinath mentioned that the issues are now getting out of hand.

“Furthermore, we must highlight that this is not the first instance of such intimidation, threats, and coercion from HCA to our staff in the last two years. The HCA president has previously issued many threats this year, and it was brought to HCA's notice,” the email stated.

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A meeting between the SRH management and the HCA apex council members has been suggested as a way forward.

The Pat Cummins-led SRH have played two matches in Hyderabad in the ongoing IPL season, winning against Rajasthan Royals and going down to LSG.