Hyderabad: Cricket grounds in the city will buzz with national level action as the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s annual Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup tournament gets underway on Tuesday.
As many as 10 teams would vie for top honours in the tourney that will be played in limited overs format on a league-cum-knockout basis culminating in the final on August 31. The HCA is fielding three teams — HCA XI, President’s XI and Combined Districts — with Air-India, Andhra Colts, Baroda, Comptroller & Auditor General, Goa, Kerala and Vidarbha making up the complete list.
Suresh Raina, Naman Ojha and Rajat Bhatia are among the popular cricketers who would be seen in action during the tournament.
“We are forced to concise this year’s matches into one-dayers but will work towards restoring the past glory of the tournament that was started by Late Nawab Moin-ud-Dowlah in 1931. Next year, we will revert to the three-day format to make it a First Class event,” HCA president G. Vivekanand told media persons on Monday as the Nawab’s grandson Mohammed Fakhruddin Khan and grand daughter Nikhatunissa Begum looked on, at the Gymkhana grounds.
“Many a legendary Indian cricketer — Sunil Gavaskar, Amarnath, Karsan Ghavri — has shot into national recknoning after making his mark at this tournament,” Vivek added.
Speaking about the Hyderabad sides, HCA secretary T. Shesh Narayan said: “The selectors have added a couple of youngsters from the Under 16 group to the teams. Those who perform will definitely get opportunities in the (senior) Hyderabad side. There will be no favouritism or nepotism from our side.”
Speaking on the occasion, Nikhatunissa said: “My grandfather brought international cricket to Hyderabad and we are doing our best to support the tournament. I appeal to the HCA authorities to restore our team.”
