Azharuddin to Challenge Removal of His Name from HCA Stadium Stand in Court
Hyderabad, April 21, 2025 – Former India cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin has announced his intention to take legal action against the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) following an order from the HCA Ombudsman, Justice V. Eswaraiah, directing the removal of his name from the North Pavilion Stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The controversy stems from a petition filed by the Lords Cricket Club (LCC) of Hyderabad, which accused Azharuddin of misusing his authority as HCA president to rename the stand from ‘WS Laxman Stand’ to ‘Mohammad Azharuddin Stand’. The Ombudsman ruled in favor of the petition, ordering the renaming.
Azharuddin, who served as the president of the HCA, has vehemently denied the allegations. He clarified that he did not remove VVS Laxman’s name from the stand and emphasized that a pavilion in Laxman’s honor remains intact at the stadium. Azharuddin expressed his intention to appeal the Ombudsman’s order in the High Court, asserting that the decision was unjust and lacked legal standing.
The former cricketer further questioned the legitimacy of the Ombudman’s authority, pointing out that his tenure had expired in February 2025, and no extension had been granted during the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which had not yet occurred. Azharuddin criticized the HCA for allegedly disrespecting former cricketers and accused the LCC of lacking transparency regarding its leadership.
In response to the Ombudman’s directive, Azharuddin stated, “I will definitely take legal recourse and will be appealing to the High Court to stay this order. It is a shame that an India captain’s name is being asked to be removed.”
The dispute has sparked a broader debate about governance and respect for former players within the HCA. Azharuddin’s supporters view the Ombudman’s order as an affront to his legacy and a reflection of internal politics within the association.
The outcome of Azharuddin’s legal challenge could have significant implications for the administration of the HCA and the treatment of former players in Indian cricket. As the case progresses, stakeholders within the cricketing community will be closely monitoring developments to understand the potential impact on governance and legacy recognition in sports associations.