Hyderabad Cricket Association
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| Founded: | 1934 |
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| Home ground: | Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium |
| Official website: | hycricket.org |
Hyderabad Cricket Association is the governing body of cricket activities in the Hyderabad and other districts in the state of Telangana in India and the Hyderabad cricket team. It is affiliated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India.The association was founded in 1934 and has been affiliated to the BCCI ever since.
The HCA operates the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, which hosts International level Test, ODI and T20 cricket matches.
The people of Hyderabad were introduced to cricket by the British Army. Around 1880 cricket started to take roots in the city. Mr.N.Ganesan, erstwhile Joint Secretary of Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) traced origins of serious cricket in the city by interacting with S.M.Hadi, S.R.Mehta, Nooh Abbasi, cricketers and organizers of yesteryears whose peers were the originators of the game in the city.
Before the Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup Tournament began in 1930/31 there is no record of any first-class cricket at Hyderabad. Raja Lochan Chand was reported to be the first chief patron of the game in late 19th century and early 20th century and Masood Ahmed, Ahmed Ali, Nazeer Baig and Khurshid Baig were few cricketers to distinguish themselves.
Oxford University Authentics that toured India in 1902/03 season was the first foreign team to visit and play at Hyderabad. As the matches they played at Hyderabad were not deemed first class cricket, there is no official record for reference.
The game was gradual to gain popularity. In the decade of the 20s & 30s quadrangular tournaments between the Hindus, Muslims, Europeans and Parsees were instrumental in popularizing the game amongst the masses throughout the country and Hyderabad was no exception. Despite appeal of Mahatma Gandhi to end communal polarization in sport the Quadrangular/ Pentangular tournaments continued to thrill masses till 1947 and popularized the game of cricket encouraging youngsters to take-up the sport seriously.
At Hyderabad Educational institutions like Nizam's College, Medical College, Madarsa-I-Aliya also pioneered the cause of cricket by encouraging it amongst the students. Nawab Moin-ud-Dowla, Maharaja Kishan Pershad, Nawab Salar Jung Bahadur patronized the game and initiated tournaments for schools, educational institutions and clubs. Private Clubs like HUCC and SUCC, formed by cricket enthusiasts became prominent and cricket leagues were established.
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