After SRH’s blackmail allegations, Hyderabad Cricket Association finally settles ticket dispute – Firstpost

The long-standing dispute between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) over complimentary passes has finally been settled after detailed discussions. Both parties have agreed to continue with the previous arrangement, ensuring that HCA will receive 3,900 tickets as per the existing terms.
A press release from HCA confirmed that the agreement adheres to the tri-party deal between SRH, HCA, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“During the discussions, SRH proposed strictly adhering to the existing tri-party agreement, ensuring that 10% of the available stadium capacity across all sections is allocated accordingly. HCA, in turn, proposed maintaining the existing allocation of passes in each category, in line with the long-standing practice followed over the years,” the statement read.
Out of the 3,900 tickets allocated to HCA, 2,400 are reportedly distributed among HCA Apex Council members who own local clubs. The remaining 1,500 are given to police officials, water supply and electricity department employees, and other government bodies.
The dispute came into the spotlight when SRH manager Srinath TB accused HCA officials, particularly its president Jagan Mohan Rao Arshinapally, of “intimidation, coercion, and blackmailing” for additional complimentary tickets. In an email to HCA treasurer CJ Srinivas, Srinath alleged that HCA locked the F3 Corporate Box during SRH’s last match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium against Lucknow Super Giants, refusing to open it unless they were given 20 extra free tickets.
“This act of threatening and blackmailing for complimentary tickets, just a few hours before the start of our game, is not only illegal but also unacceptable. It raises serious concerns about the working relationship between our organisations,” Srinath wrote in his email.
SRH also warned that if the issue persisted, they would take the matter to BCCI and request a change of home venue from Hyderabad. Additionally, an HCA official, speaking anonymously, revealed that certain officials had allegedly threatened to cut off the water and electricity supply to the stadium if their demands for more tickets were not met.
The matter caught the attention of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who directed Vigilance and Enforcement Director-General Kothakota Sreenivasa Reddy to investigate the allegations against HCA.
To resolve the issue, HCA Secretary R. Devraj met with SRH officials Kiran, Saravanan, and Rohit Suresh at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. Following further telephonic discussions with SRH CEO Shanmugam, it was agreed that the existing allocation of 3,900 tickets would remain unchanged.
HCA assured SRH that they would cooperate and ensure a smooth remainder of the IPL 2025 season in Hyderabad.
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