The Crossbill Sports Desk
In a significant decision, the Hyderabad Cricket Association's (HCA) ombudsman and ethics officer, Justice (Retd.) V. Eswaraiah, has directed the removal of former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin’s name from a pavilion at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. The directive also bars future match tickets from carrying his name.
The order stems from a complaint filed earlier this year by Lords Cricket Club, affiliated to the HCA, which alleged that Azharuddin, during his tenure as HCA president (2019–2023), unilaterally named the stadium’s North Pavilion after himself without approval from the association’s general body. The complaint claimed the decision bypassed due process and was an instance of Azharuddin exceeding his authority for personal glorification.
Justice Eswaraiah upheld the complaint, calling the act a clear case of conflict of interest.
"The fact that there has been no ratification/modification of the decision by the General Body further strengthens the case against the Respondent No. 1 (Azharuddin), as the Respondent No. 1 has exceeded his authority to benefit himself. In consequence of my findings, a clear case of conflict of interest is made out," the judge observed in his order, as quoted by The Times of India.
Azharuddin had contended that the resolution was passed unanimously by the apex council and was not a unilateral decision. He also argued that the "North Pavilion" was distinct from the "V.V.S. Laxman Pavilion" and thus did not infringe upon any existing naming. However, the HCA countered this, stating the North Pavilion encompasses the entire northern section, which had already been named after Laxman—a cricketer of “impeccable” reputation.
Further, Justice Eswaraiah pointed out that while the 2019 apex council resolution also included plans to honour cricketers Arshad Ayub and L. Venkatapathy Raju, only Azharuddin’s name was implemented—highlighting the selective and self-benefiting nature of the move.
The judge dismissed Azharuddin’s plea that the complaint was time-barred, ruling that limitation did not apply in matters of conflict of interest. He also referenced a prior case in which Azharuddin himself had filed a similar complaint against former HCA president G. Vivekanand, which led to the latter’s disqualification—a precedent that further weakened Azharuddin’s defence.
The controversy comes on the heels of multiple legal and financial troubles for the former captain.
In October 2023, the Uppal police registered four criminal cases against Azharuddin and former HCA officials over the alleged misappropriation of Rs 3.85 crore. The funds were reportedly spent on cricket equipment, fire safety, and stadium infrastructure. The matter prompted a forensic audit of HCA finances and a subsequent ten-hour interrogation of Azharuddin by the Enforcement Directorate.
The pavilion naming row has also drawn criticism from former HCA officials. Ex-secretary T. Shesh Narayan said Azharuddin’s name board was oversized and appeared to superimpose that of Laxman.
"It was not in good taste. Instead of honouring the collective sentiment, he bulldozed his way through the decision," he stated.
Despite the lack of objection from Laxman and the presence of India pacer Mohammed Siraj at the board’s inauguration, Justice Eswaraiah noted that these factors did not absolve Azharuddin from conflict-of-interest charges.
Former Ranji player Kanwaljeet Singh expressed disappointment at the turn of events, acknowledging Azharuddin’s contributions to Indian cricket but asserting that "no one is bigger than the game."
Azharuddin, a Congress leader and former MP from Moradabad, had been allowed back into cricket administration after being discharged by the Andhra Pradesh High Court from a lifetime BCCI ban over match-fixing charges.
The order stems from a complaint filed earlier this year by Lords Cricket Club, affiliated to the HCA, which alleged that Azharuddin, during his tenure as HCA president (2019–2023), unilaterally named the stadium’s North Pavilion after himself without approval from the association’s general body. The complaint claimed the decision bypassed due process and was an instance of Azharuddin exceeding his authority for personal glorification.
Justice Eswaraiah upheld the complaint, calling the act a clear case of conflict of interest.
"The fact that there has been no ratification/modification of the decision by the General Body further strengthens the case against the Respondent No. 1 (Azharuddin), as the Respondent No. 1 has exceeded his authority to benefit himself. In consequence of my findings, a clear case of conflict of interest is made out," the judge observed in his order, as quoted by The Times of India.
Azharuddin had contended that the resolution was passed unanimously by the apex council and was not a unilateral decision. He also argued that the "North Pavilion" was distinct from the "V.V.S. Laxman Pavilion" and thus did not infringe upon any existing naming. However, the HCA countered this, stating the North Pavilion encompasses the entire northern section, which had already been named after Laxman—a cricketer of “impeccable” reputation.
Further, Justice Eswaraiah pointed out that while the 2019 apex council resolution also included plans to honour cricketers Arshad Ayub and L. Venkatapathy Raju, only Azharuddin’s name was implemented—highlighting the selective and self-benefiting nature of the move.
The judge dismissed Azharuddin’s plea that the complaint was time-barred, ruling that limitation did not apply in matters of conflict of interest. He also referenced a prior case in which Azharuddin himself had filed a similar complaint against former HCA president G. Vivekanand, which led to the latter’s disqualification—a precedent that further weakened Azharuddin’s defence.
The controversy comes on the heels of multiple legal and financial troubles for the former captain.
In October 2023, the Uppal police registered four criminal cases against Azharuddin and former HCA officials over the alleged misappropriation of Rs 3.85 crore. The funds were reportedly spent on cricket equipment, fire safety, and stadium infrastructure. The matter prompted a forensic audit of HCA finances and a subsequent ten-hour interrogation of Azharuddin by the Enforcement Directorate.
The pavilion naming row has also drawn criticism from former HCA officials. Ex-secretary T. Shesh Narayan said Azharuddin’s name board was oversized and appeared to superimpose that of Laxman.
"It was not in good taste. Instead of honouring the collective sentiment, he bulldozed his way through the decision," he stated.
Despite the lack of objection from Laxman and the presence of India pacer Mohammed Siraj at the board’s inauguration, Justice Eswaraiah noted that these factors did not absolve Azharuddin from conflict-of-interest charges.
Former Ranji player Kanwaljeet Singh expressed disappointment at the turn of events, acknowledging Azharuddin’s contributions to Indian cricket but asserting that "no one is bigger than the game."
Azharuddin, a Congress leader and former MP from Moradabad, had been allowed back into cricket administration after being discharged by the Andhra Pradesh High Court from a lifetime BCCI ban over match-fixing charges.
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