Published: Jul 30, 2013, 11:27 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 23, 2014, 09:52 PM (IST)
The city of Hyderabad itself may be shared by the two successor states, but the Telangana activists are firm in their demand for a separate team at the IPL © IANS
Nishad Pai Vaidya follows interesting developments in the cricket world with Sunrisers Hyderabad’s future being under threat, as the possibility of the creation of Telangana state has become stronger.
Please note: this is a humour article — work of pure fiction
Can politics stay away from Indian cricket? Given the passion and the craze for the game in the country, a cricket related controversy invariably spills into the political arena. In contrast, a political conflict is poised to have its implications on the field of play. With there being a strong possibility of the creation of the state of Telangana from the present Andhra Pradesh, the future of the Sunrisers Hyderabad is under threat. While Telangana activists are demanding the division of the team itself, the other side is happy with a united front.
The city of Hyderabad itself may be shared by the two successor states, but the Telangana activists are firm in their demand for a separate team at the Indian Premier League (IPL). An activist said, “We are not willing to make concessions on that front. Although, we are ready to share Hyderabad, we certainly cannot do that with the cricket team.”
When asked as to why they didn’t voice their needs last year, the activist said, “The Deccan Chargers were performing poorly and that would have done no good to our pride.” Having said that, they made it clear that they want a division — which means the entire Sunrisers bowling attack for themselves. As the batting stuttered throughout the IPL 2013, it was Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling that did the trick. “We will settle for nothing less than an attack comprising Dale Steyn, Thisara Perera, Amit Mishra and Darren Sammy. The other side can keep Ishant Sharma if they wish.”
As a result, the activists decided to take their concerns to the appropriate party. N Srinivasan, who is set to return as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, was holidaying in his farm-house at Kodaikanal when he heard a few vociferous voices in a serene backdrop. From his window, he could see a crowd gathered outside his residence with placards in their hands. A shocked Srinivasan exclaimed, “Ohh Guru (Meiyappan), what have you done now!” Little did he know that they had assembled for a separate IPL team representing Telangana and not his resignation — something that has been a regular feature in recent times.
Along with his security, Srinivasan ran to the gate and was accosted by the media who asked for a statement. With typical conviction and stubbornness, he said, “I will not resign. I have done nothing wrong. I will not be bulldozed. I will not be railroaded……” And then continued the customary defiant speech until his secretary whispered the details of the real problem.
Realising the seriousness of the issue, Srinivasan contacted the rest of the BCCI’s top brass. He then returned to address the media and said, “We fully understand the gravity of the matter. So, we have called for an ‘Emergency Meeting’ in Chennai on August 11. However, Mr Arun Jaitely and Mr Anurag Thakur would be unable to join us, but would make their presence felt through a video conference.”
The Telangana activists now await the result and they would be hopeful that their dream turns into a reality. However, there is an air of suspense over the possible outcomes of the BCCI meeting. Sources close to the top shots in the board revealed that they have booked a conference hall in a good five-star hotel in Chennai, with a three-course meal for lunch. No official will be allowed to talk to the media and at the end of the day, they may come up with an “Interim Team” for Telangana. The Andhra Pradesh ‘enthusiasts’ would be asked to ‘step aside’ during the meeting.
“There is only one fly in the ointment though. We feel some of the members may walk-out, just as some of the politicians have done with regards to the whole state issue. There may be no unity in the farce we fear,” the source concluded.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_44)
