M. Jeevan Reddy reshaping Hyderabad cricket after taking HCA secretary role

M. Jeevan Reddy, who took charge as secretary of the Hyderabad Cricket Association in March, has initiated a series of changes aimed at reviving cricket activity in Hyderabad, he told The Hindu in an interview published on September 21, 2026. His early actions have included senior appointments and the introduction of a new local competition.

Cricket administrators in Hyderabad have long been better known for infighting and allegations of financial impropriety than for the sport itself, and the HCA is attempting to move away from that reputation. Two prominent appointments followed Jeevan’s arrival: Ambati Rayudu was named to lead the Cricket Operations Committee and Wasim Jaffer was brought in as mentor to every team under the HCA umbrella, both joining only after being guaranteed an interference-free environment. The inaugural edition of TG20 was launched under this administration as a new local tournament. “Anybody in Hyderabad has the opportunity to engage with the best sporting infrastructure. But how about rural Telangana? They don’t have basic facilities, like grounds or nets to practice, or coaches. I wanted to focus on rural cricketing activity when I came in,” Jeevan told The Hindu.

For TG20’s organisation, Jeevan enlisted personnel associated with the Tamil Nadu Premier League to ensure smooth functioning. That collaboration, the HCA says, provided more than 150 players a platform to showcase their talent, and some participants secured trial opportunities with IPL teams.

The Gymkhana Ground, a regular Ranji Trophy host in the city, is being refurbished ahead of the upcoming domestic season. “Most pitches are flat these days. There is not a lot of swing now. So we wanted to create an environment where both batters and bowlers can do well and have surfaces that give momentum to the bowlers too,” Jeevan said, explaining the ground works.

International cricket is due to return to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium next month after two years away, and the State government has announced plans for a new, world-class stadium on a 100-acre site in Future City. “We are working towards having a capacity of around 80 to 90 thousand. It’ll also have an academy attached, along with a hotel, a recreational area and three or four practice grounds. “When you look at where the existing stadium is located, it is not possible to expand it. We are limited by safety challenges. The road approaching the stadium is very narrow, and it is between residential areas. So holding any event there creates a lot of challenges for the residents.”

Jeevan also linked the new venue to interest in the expanding Women’s Premier League canopy and discussed potential franchise growth. “In the next two years, there could be three more teams coming in, and then hopefully the matches will also come to Hyderabad. If everything goes according to plan, somebody from Hyderabad itself could own a team,” he explained, stopping short of revealing much more.

With international fixtures scheduled to resume at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium next month and Gymkhana Ground being readied for the domestic season, the HCA’s immediate focus will be completing venue work and staging those upcoming matches.