Crisis in HCA as two selectors, U-23 coach quit

HYDERABAD: The stalemate between the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) administrators and the Senior Selection Committee came to a dramatic end on Thursday with two of the three selectors - P Ramesh and Srinivas Chakravarthy - and the U-23 coach Anirudh Singh sending their resignations to president G Vivekanand on the eve of the Col CK Nayudu Plate Group B match between Hyderabad and Odisha.
Trouble had been brewing (as reported in these columns last month) for some time with the administrators weary of the selectors' supposedly high-handed behaviour. Secretary T Shesh Narayan had given a notice to P Ramesh, chairman of the selection committee, a couple of days back. But things never got back to normal with both sides sticking to their guns. It is, however, learnt that peace had been brokered by the late Dr MV Sridhar but the latter's demise on Monday seems to have opened up the wounds.
While the exit of the selectors was on the cards, former Hyderabad captain Anirudh's resignation as coach is quite a shocker. Anirudh was with the team during their practice session in the morning at the Gymkhana ground but certain developments in the day seems to have brought about his exit. Anirudh admitted that he had quit but refused to elaborate on the reasons for his sudden decision.
However, sources in the HCA, said that the appointment of an in-charge for the U-23 team on Thursday seems to have triggered off the spate of resignations. "The appointment has reduced the coach's role and therefore it may have led to his and the selectors' resignation," a source said.
President G Vivekanand, while admitting that he had received the letters, seems to be unperturbed by the developments. "I saw the letters in my email inbox but didn't have the time to open and read the contents. Hence, it is difficult to comment on it at this moment. I will call for an Apex Council meeting on Saturday and let's see what decision is made at the meeting," he told ToI.
Shesh Narayan said he was unaware of the resignations. "If they have resigned then I will take the occasion to thank them for the wonderful job they have done. The senior and U-23 teams have done well this season and credit should go the selectors," he said. "But no individual is greater than the Institution. The game has to go on."
Attempts to contact Ramesh and Chakravarthy proved futile as their mobile phones were switched off. However, another selector G Arvind Kumar said he was not aware of the resignations. "I am not aware of it. All I can say is that I haven't resigned as there is no need to do so," he said even as he was busy playing a game of squash.
The Hyderabad U-23 team are in second position with seven points after three matches and have one more game on hand after this match. "The team has done reasonably well and this chaos may affect the performances of the players in what is a crucial game. The players will be without guidance as it will take time to adjust to a new think-tank," a source said.