Cry the beloved game: HCA officials least bothered in honouring their own cricketers

“No prophet is welcome in his own hometown,” goes a saying. The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) officials and administrators are living up to the saying. The HCA, which is the custodian of cricket and cricketers, seems least bothered about the performance of its players either for the state or the country.

The HCA website proudly says, “We are the custodians of the glorious game of cricket in Hyderabad and Telangana state since 1934” but their deeds are inglorious.

Do the officials know that someone called Aaron George from their own association has been part of the India team which won the ICC Under-19 World Cup for an unprecedented sixth time recently? If they know about Aaron, why have they neglected acknowledging his performance for Team India?

Even an average follower of the game knows about the players, but the HCA officials are oblivious of their own cricketers. Forget about organising a felicitation for the player, the HCA officials did not even congratulate him nor acknowledge his existence. Doesn’t the player deserve even this basic courtesy from the association which he has been representing and has earned laurels for them?

“We don’t even remember a boy called Aaron George of Hyderabad represented India, which won U-19 World Cup. He also won Vinoo Mankad tournament for us. Forget felicitation are we at least cricket lovers?” questioned a club secretary.

After his heroics with Team India, Aaron had become a household name across the country but in the HCA, he remains persona non grata. The HCA officials did not even think it worthwhile to arrange for his welcome at the airport on the day he arrived. Isn’t it the duty of the HCA officials to take care of their own?

“Really feeling ashamed as a senior member of the HCA. We have also not bothered to honour our own boy Aaron George, who played a crucial role in the World Cup. He was instrumental in winning World Cup for our country, but it looks we are more enthusiastic in felicitating our own members than cricketers,” said RM Bhaskar.

A felicitation was quickly arranged for their newly installed president at a private club recently, but nothing has been planned for the cricketer. This shows where the priorities of the officials and club secretaries lie.

“He represents India Under-19, scores a crucial century in the semifinals and the Indian team wins the World Cup yet no body from HCA bothered to receive him at airport nor plan to felicitate him. All other cricket associations have honoured their Under-19 stars, but Aaron has the misfortune to be part of the Hyderabad Cricket Association,” lamented another club secretary.

“Had he been a son of a club secretary, heaven would have been showered upon him. This is the sad state of cricketers in this association,” he bemoaned.

Under-19 team too not felicitated nor rewarded till now

Hyderabad Under-19 team also achieved an unprecedented feat this season under the leadership of Aaron by winning the Vinoo Mankad Trophy on November 1, 2025. This triumph comes 37 years after Hyderabad had won a BCCI tournament. Ironically, this is only the third BCCI title won by Hyderabad in its long existence. The previous two were Ranji Trophy victories in 1937-38 and in 1986-87.

The victorious Hyderabad Under-19 team

Despite the stupendous achievement, the Under-19 boys have neither been felicitated nor been rewarded for their efforts. It has been more than two-and-a-half months since the triumph but still the officials have not come up with anything concreted to honour the players, coaching and support staff.

“We have not bothered to felicitate the Under-19 boys’ Hyderabad team for winning the Vinod Mankad Trophy after 37 years,” Bhaskar said.

“Where are we heading? Is this association meant for the welfare of the cricketers and the development of the game or is it only to cater to the needs of the club secretaries,” asked a cricketer.  “The money meant for cricket and cricketers is being spent in resolving litigations and paying off penalties. So, where does the HCA have money to reward its cricketers,” said a club secretary.

Aaron led from the front in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy as he was the highest run-getter for Hyderabad. He scored 373 runs. Wafi Kachchhi (281) and Alankrith Rapole (233) rounded off the top three batters. In the bowling department, V Yashveer bagged 15 wickets, while Wafi Kachchhi took 11 wickets and Malik bagged 10 wickets.

The Vinoo Mankad squad: Aaron George, Wafi Kachchhi, Alankrith Rapole, Aawez Ahmed, Sai Sharan, Karan Yadav, Aditya Javvaji, V Yashveer, Prem Gone, Malik, Nipun Reddy, Akula Sai Chandra, Aryan Reddy and Uzair Ahmed.

Support staff: Bavanka Sandeep (head coach), Mohd Abdul Khadar (asst coach), Neelam Sharat Mudiraj (fielding coach), Gaurav Kumar (trainer/S&C), Dr Masood (physio), Malik Hafeez Ullah (performance analyst).