The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has for the first time presented awards to seven cricket players for their best performances in different categories in the past year.
Sneha More (under-19, women’s cricket), Diana David (women’s cricket – seniors), K. Sumanth (under-25), Ashish Reddy (Ranji Trophy), Varun Goud (under-14), Rakesh Kumar (under-16) and C.V. Milind (best emerging player) were given the awards by former Test cricketer V.V.S. Laxman at the Uppal stadium.
“I don’t believe that there is no talent. All that is needed is commitment and the sense of pride of representing Hyderabad. I was deeply hurt when a legend made an adverse comment on the standard of Hyderabad cricket,” said Laxman.
“I always remember 1987, the season in which Hyderabad won the Ranji Trophy and not how many Tests or ODIs the city has hosted,” he said, stressing on the importance of scoring centuries and five-wicket hauls for any cricketer dreaming big.
“You have the infrastructure and the support on many fronts which were not there when I started my career. The onus is on you to rise to the occasion and repose the trust the selectors had shown on you,” he reminded.
Former India left-arm spinner S. L. Venkatapathi Raju also felt that Hyderabad cricket can look ahead if only the young cricketers show high levels of commitment and an intense desire to keep improving. HCA secretary M. V. Sridhar promised changes in the league format and better facilities. The winners and runners-up in various league divisions too were presented Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25,000, respectively.
