The Bombay High Court recently addressed the prolonged delay by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in deciding on the Telangana Cricket Association's (TCA) application for associate membership. A division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Dr. Neela Gokhale expressed their dissatisfaction with the BCCI's inaction, emphasizing the need for the board to "put its own house in order" and ensure compliance with its directives.
The TCA's pursuit of BCCI affiliation has been ongoing since the formation of Telangana as India's 29th state in 2014. Established in 2015, the TCA sought to address the lack of representation and opportunities for cricketers from regions outside Hyderabad. Historically, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), based in Hyderabad, has been the primary body overseeing cricket activities in the region. However, the TCA argued that the HCA's focus remained largely on Hyderabad city, neglecting the vast talent pool in the state's rural districts. This disparity led the TCA to apply for associate membership with the BCCI, aiming to provide a platform for over 12,000 cricketers from across Telangana.
In March 2018, the TCA filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, alleging bias and inaction by the BCCI regarding their membership application. The court issued a notice to the BCCI, directing them to respond to the TCA's plea for associate membership. The TCA emphasized its commitment to promoting cricket in Telangana's rural areas, contrasting this with the HCA's urban-centric approach.
Despite these efforts, progress remained stagnant. In December 2020, the Supreme Court granted the TCA the liberty to represent itself for associate membership in the BCCI. This judgment was hailed as a significant victory for the TCA, reinforcing their stance on the need for broader representation in Telangana's cricketing landscape.
However, as of March 2025, the BCCI had yet to act on its own July 2021 directive, which instructed the HCA to decide on the TCA's request for associate membership. This inaction prompted the Bombay High Court's recent admonishment. The court questioned the BCCI's role and responsibility, emphasizing that the board should ensure compliance with its orders rather than remain a passive observer. The judges highlighted the importance of tapping into the state's diverse talent pool, suggesting that the current situation hindered the discovery and nurturing of potential cricketing talent from Telangana's various districts.
The TCA's legal representatives underscored the association's dedication to promoting cricket across all 32 districts of Telangana, contrasting this with the HCA's limited focus on Hyderabad and its immediate surroundings. They also brought to light multiple FIRs filed against HCA members for alleged embezzlement of funds, further questioning the HCA's credibility and effectiveness in managing cricket affairs in the region.
In response to these developments, the HCA sought additional time to address the allegations and the broader membership issue. The BCCI maintained that it had already issued a directive and that the onus was now on the HCA to act accordingly. The court, however, reiterated that the BCCI must take a more proactive role in ensuring its directives are implemented, emphasizing that the board cannot merely be a spectator in this prolonged dispute.
The Bombay High Court's recent intervention underscores the pressing need for administrative reforms within Indian cricket's governing bodies. The prolonged delay in addressing the TCA's application not only hampers the growth of cricket in Telangana's rural areas but also reflects broader challenges in ensuring equitable representation and opportunity within the sport. As the situation unfolds, the cricketing community awaits decisive action from the BCCI to resolve this longstanding issue and promote inclusivity in Indian cricket.
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