Akshath Reddy and Akash Bhandari to head HCA Senior and Junior selection committees

The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) on Monday appointed former Hyderabad Ranji Trophy team captain Produturi Akshath Reddy as chairman of the Senior Selection Committee for the 2026-27 season.  The cricket body also appointed former Ranji Trophy player Akash Bhandari as the chairman of the Junior Selection Committee.

The 35-year-old Akshath Reddy had played 81 First Class games and scored 5300 runs with a highest of 250 and an average of 42.74. The right-handed batter also played 61 List A games and 69 T20s.

T Suman and Ambati Rayudu have played together from the age-group level 

The other members of the committee are T Suman, Mehdi Hasan, T Pavan Kumar and P Inder Shekar Reddy. T Suman played 38 First Class games and scored 1668 runs with a highest of 160. The 42-year-old Suman also played 47 List A games and 75 T20s.

Peddi Inder Shekar Reddy played 17 First Class games and took 49 wickets with a best of 4/28. The 45-year-old Inder also played 32 List A games and six T20s.  Mehdi Hasan played 40 First Class games for Hyderabad and took 92 wickets with a best of six for 93. The 36-year-old Mehdi also played 36 List A games and 27 T20s.

Akash Bhandari played 25 First Class games and scored 2287 runs and took 69 wickets. The 32-year-old Akash also played 29 List A games and 45 T20s. The other members of the committee are P Ramesh Kumar, Shoaib, Sarvesh Kumar and Timothy Ravi Kumar.

Akash Bhandari is the chairman of the Junior selection committee

The announcement was made in the presence of HCA secretary M Jeevan Reddy and former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu, who is the newly appointed head of cricket operations. The committees will oversee player selections for all HCA-represented tournaments and age-group events during the upcoming season.

“It’s heartening to see a strong mix of experienced former cricketers on these committees. Their understanding of the game will be key in identifying and backing the right talent for Hyderabad cricket. I wish both panels the very best for the season ahead,” said Rayudu.

“We are confident that the experience and integrity of the appointed members will ensure a fair, transparent, and merit-based selection process. The HCA remains committed to nurturing talent and strengthening cricket across all levels in the region,” said Jeevan Reddy.

Both the committees have the stamp of Rayudu on it. Most of the members of the committees are those who have played with Rayudu or are his juniors. T Suman and Rayudu have played age-group cricket and were also part of India’s Under-19 team.

Another notable factor is that some of them are from the erstwhile State Bank of Hyderabad, for which Rayudu too had played in the HCA league.

Arjun and Niranjan in committee for cricketing operations

Earlier, the HCA had also appointed former Ranji Trophy players M P Arjun and P Niranjan as members of the Committee for Cricketing Operations. Both Arjun and Niranjan are very close to Rayudu. Hence, the appointments thus far seem to indicate the direction in which things are likely to go. Rayudu has made early moves and stamped his authority and by having his people in key positions, he will undoubtedly be calling the shots.

Senior selection committee (2026–27): P Akshath Reddy (chairman), T Suman, Mehdi Hasan, T Pavan Kumar and P Inder Shekar Reddy.

Junior selection committee (2026–27): Akash Bhandari (chairman), P Ramesh Kumar, Shoaib, Sarvesh Kumar, Timothy Kumar.