In a major scandal shaking Hyderabad’s cricketing establishment, Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) President Jagan Mohan Rao has been arrested by Telangana CID in connection with a black-marketing racket involving IPL 2025 tickets.
Investigators allege Rao and other HCA officials illegally sold complimentary passes by coercing Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) into handing over extra tickets—violating a tri-party agreement between SRH, HCA, and BCCI. The CID probe was triggered after SRH accused HCA officials of intimidation, including locking a corporate box before a match to pressure the franchise.
Amid growing tensions, SRH threatened to shift its home matches out of Hyderabad, prompting a government-led vigilance inquiry.
In an effort to de-escalate the crisis, HCA Secretary R. Devraj met with SRH officials. Following talks, both sides agreed to uphold the existing practice of allocating 3,900 complimentary passes.
A joint statement said HCA and SRH would collaborate to “enhance the spectator experience” at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
