SRH threaten to leave Hyderabad over blackmail for free IPL 2025 tickets: Report

SunRisers Hyderabad have threatened to relocate from their home base in Hyderabad, alleging blackmail by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) for free Indian Premier League (IPL) tickets. SRH team manager Srinath TB wrote a letter to HCA treasurer CJ Srinivas, stating that the team would not tolerate intimidation and coercion from the Hyderabad top brass, particularly HCA president Jagan Mohan Rao, as reported by the Times of India.

advertisement

In the strongly worded letter, SunRisers claimed that the unruly behaviour from HCA officials began in 2024. It was noted that the HCA locked a VIP box on the day of SunRisers' match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday, March 27.

IPL 2025 Coverage | IPL Points Table | IPL Schedule

Srinath mentioned that SunRisers have an agreement with various stakeholders to provide 3,900 complimentary tickets per game. Of these, 50 VIP box tickets are allocated to HCA. However, the state body demanded an additional 20 tickets in another box, arguing that 50 were insufficient. When this request was denied, the said box was locked during their match against Lucknow Super Giants.

"For several years, HCA has been allocated 50 complimentary tickets (F12A box) as part of the 3,900 complimentary tickets. However, this year, you are claiming the capacity of the box to be only 30 and requesting an additional 20 complimentary tickets in a different box. When this was brought to our notice, we informed you that we would discuss and reach a mutually amicable solution," Srinath wrote in his letter to the HCA treasurer.

advertisement

"Please note that we pay the appropriate rent for the stadium, and during the IPL tenure, the stadium is under our jurisdiction. However, in the last match, you locked the F3 box, refusing to open it unless 20 extra free tickets were given to you. This unprofessional behaviour creates a hostile environment, making cooperation increasingly difficult," he added.

WE WILL RELOCATE: SRH TO HCA

The SunRisers Hyderabad manager further alleged that the HCA president had threatened SRH staff multiple times, stating that this was not the first instance of blackmail for free tickets.

The letter explicitly states that SunRisers are willing to relocate to another venue and that a formal complaint would be lodged with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) if HCA's threats persisted.

According to the report, the Hyderabad Cricket Association has acknowledged the letter and promised to find an amicable solution.

"All these unprofessional threats and actions by HCA, particularly by the HCA president, make it clear that you do not want SunRisers to play at your stadium. If that is the case, please confirm this in writing so that we can inform the BCCI, the Telangana government, and our management that you wish for us to move to another venue, and we will relocate accordingly," the letter read.

advertisement

This is not the first time HCA's management issues have surfaced during an IPL season.

In April 2024, the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) disconnected the power supply to the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium due to unpaid dues amounting to Rs 3.05 crore. This action occurred just before an IPL match between SRH and Chennai Super Kings, raising concerns about potential disruptions. However, the issue was temporarily mitigated using backup generators, ensuring that training sessions proceeded without interruption. This incident highlighted ongoing financial disputes between HCA and local authorities, further straining the association's operations.

SunRisers have played two home games-one against Rajasthan Royals and the other against Lucknow Super Giants-at the start of the IPL 2025 season in Hyderabad.

Click here to read article