Sunrisers Hyderabad Consider Leaving Uppal Stadium Over Ticket Dispute

By Gurlal Singh

Cricket Player who is writing about cricket now.

Posted: March 30, 2025
Last updated: March 31, 2025

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The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) cricket team is reportedly considering relocating from the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal due to ongoing tensions with the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). The conflict has arisen from HCA’s demand for free tickets, which SRH claims is creating an unsustainable environment for hosting matches.

The Hyderabad Cricket Association, led by President A. Jagan, has been accused by SRH of using intimidation tactics to secure free tickets for matches. This demand has allegedly reached a point where it could affect the operational aspects of hosting cricket matches at the stadium, putting the franchise in a difficult position.

SRH management suggests that these demands are not just a sporadic issue but constitute ongoing coercion. This has led to frustration within the team management, as it disrupts their ability to effectively allocate tickets and manage fans during match days. The demands for free tickets are reportedly high, leading to complications in ticket distribution to genuine fans and sponsors.

In light of these pressures, the SRH’s management is seriously considering moving their home matches away from the Uppal stadium. The potential relocation aims to find a venue where such external pressures from associations might be minimized, allowing for a more controlled and conducive environment for cricket matches.

The HCA, on the other hand, remains firm on its demands, which it claims are part of their entitlements as the governing body of cricket in Hyderabad. However, this standoff suggests that a resolution may not be forthcoming without further negotiations or intervention from higher governing bodies in Indian cricket.

The decision to move out is not final, but the possibility underscores the serious nature of the conflict. If SRH were to leave the Uppal stadium, it could have significant implications for local cricket fans and the association itself, affecting the dynamics of cricket events in the region.

In conclusion, the ongoing ticket dispute between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Hyderabad Cricket Association highlights the challenges franchises face beyond the pitch. The outcome of this situation could set a precedent for how similar issues are managed in Indian cricket in the future.