Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has expressed heartbreak over the decision to remove his name from the north stand of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, calling it a disgrace and urging the BCCI to take action.
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) was formally directed to erase Azharuddin's name from the North Pavilion Stand following serious allegations of favouritism during his tenure as HCA president. The order came from Justice V Eswaraiah, HCA’s Ethics Officer and Ombudsman, in response to a petition highlighting these concerns, reports Hindustan Times.
According to Cricbuzz, the directive stemmed from a complaint filed by Lord's Cricket Club, a local organisation, which alleged that Azharuddin’s decisions as HCA president showed a conflict of interest and served his interests.
The petition accused him of acting in ways that compromised fairness and impartiality. The order also instructed the HCA to stop printing Azharuddin’s name on any tickets for the ongoing IPL 2025 season.
The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium is set to host five more IPL matches this season, including three Sunrisers Hyderabad home games and the crucial Qualifier 1 and Eliminator playoff matches.
"What's unfolding is beyond comprehension, and it hurts me personally. I was not allowed to contest the HCA elections simply because I exposed the corruption within the system. That truth made me a target," said Azharuddin.
Beyond removing Azharuddin’s name, the petition also urged that the stand be renamed in honour of VVS Laxman, the Hyderabad-born cricketing legend, suggesting it be officially designated as the VVS Laxman Pavilion for all signage, ticketing, and related materials.
The petitioner concluded by requesting the Ombudsman to issue any further directives necessary to ensure justice and fairness in handling the case.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
