Ambati Rayudu vows to 'clean up a few things' after assuming role as head of cricket operations at HCA

Ambati Rayudu's innings as a cricket administrator has begun as the former India player announced his appointment as head of cricket operations at Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) on May 5.

Rayudu, who played for Hyderabad and also led the side during his playing days, has vowed to "clean up a few things" and is fairly excited about the budding talent blossoming in the region.

"I am very happy to announce that I have been appointed as the Head of cricketing operations for HCA by Justice P Naveen Rao(SMC), M Jeevan Reddy (Secretary HCA) and the apex council. It is a great opportunity to clean up a few things, but I am more excited to see the immense cricketing talent in Hyderabad and Telangana flourish and produce more players to represent the country," Rayudu posted on X.

I am very happy to announce that I have been appointed as the Head of cricketing operations for HCA. by Justice P Naveen Rao(SMC) , M Jeevan reddy (Secretary HCA) and the apex council. It is a great opportunity to clean up a few things but I am more excited to see the immense…

— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) May 5, 2026

Rayudu's strained relationship with HCA as a player

Having retired from all formats after his non-selection in India's squad for the ODI World Cup in 2019, Rayudu captained Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

However, he opted against playing for the side in the Ranji Trophy that season, alleging that he felt very "uncomfortable" as there was "a lot of politics in the team and the atmosphere was not conducive for good cricket."

"In all honesty, I was looking forward to play for Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy this season. But unfortunately, the script did not go on the expected lines. There is a lot of politics in the team and the atmosphere was not conducive for good cricket. I felt very uncomfortable," said Rayudu as per an interview with Telangana Today.

Rayudu even expressed his disappointment in the then HCA president, Mohammed Azharuddin, for not taking enough measures to curb "rampant corruption" and, according to him, the practice of giving selection preferences to players with strong political connections.

"I did have a talk with the president. He always said he was trying his best. But it never happened," Rayudu said. "I feel he should have initiated stronger measures, but he did not do that. I feel there were more election promises and as a result, the game suffered," Rayudu said in the same interview with Telangana Today.

"It hurt me a lot. A few players, who did not deserve to be in the team, were included in the team because of the election promises. If this happens, how can a team improve? My hands were tight (sic) for the playing eleven when it came to few players and they were untouchable during the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament.

"If you look at the team, some of the players are selected because of the influence of some club secretaries. Sometimes, merit takes a back seat. This is unfortunate. Rich, influential and politicians' children get preferences in Hyderabad teams. This is a true fact. We have to stop this buck. Since someone had to speak out, I thought I should do this. This is how bad the system has become in HCA."