India's Azharuddin: ‘I regret playing cricket' after name removed from pavilion
Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin on Tuesday said he regrets playing cricket after the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) was directed to remove his name from the North Pavilion Stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad.
The directive, issued by HCA ethics officer and ombudsman Justice V. Eswaraiah, also instructs the association to ensure Azharuddin's name does not appear on any printed tickets for the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025 season.
The action follows a petition from Lord's Cricket Club, a local cricket body, which raised concerns about Azharuddin's conduct during his tenure as HCA president.
Allegations include favouritism, conflict of interest, and compromising transparency to serve personal interests.
The ombudsman's order comes as the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium prepares to host five remaining IPL 2025 fixtures, including three home matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad and two playoffs.
Azharuddin called the development a 'disgrace' and urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to intervene.
'What is happening is beyond comprehension and it hurts me personally,' he said. 'I was barred from contesting the HCA elections merely because I exposed corruption within the system. That truth made me a target.'
As part of the petition, Lord's Cricket Club proposed renaming the stand in honour of VVS Laxman, suggesting the title 'VVS Laxman Pavilion' be adopted across all signage, tickets and official documents.
Azharuddin, who led India in 47 Tests and 174 ODIs, said the situation has left him disillusioned.
'I regret playing cricket,' he stated, reflecting on what he believes is a targeted move to discredit his legacy.
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