The Telangana government has directed the state’s vigilance director to investigate allegations against the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) of intimidating and blackmailing the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) management for complimentary IPL tickets. The controversy began after SRH’s General Manager (Sports), Srinath TB, accused HCA officials, particularly President Jagan Mohan Rao, of harassment. SRH has worked with HCA for twelve years, but tensions have reportedly escalated in the past two seasons.
Under their agreement, SRH allocates 10% (3,900) of complimentary tickets to HCA, including access to a corporate box with 50 seats. This year, however, HCA claimed the box could only accommodate 30 people and demanded an additional 20 tickets from another box, which SRH found unreasonable.
In response to the allegations, HCA denied receiving any official complaints from SRH and dismissed the claims as part of a malicious campaign aimed at damaging its reputation. The Telangana Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has warned that strict action will be taken if the allegations are proven true.
