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Former Chennai Super Kings player representing Hyderabad in domestic cricket, Ambati Rayudu has been appointed head of cricket operations at the Hyderabad Cricket Association. He will be taking charge with immediate effect for an initial three-year term. The former India batter steps into an administrative role with a defined brief centered on restructuring cricketing processes and addressing long-standing concerns around transparency and selection.

The appointment places Rayudu in charge of cricketing decisions across levels, with the association indicating a focus on reform rather than continuity. His mandate includes streamlining operations and prioritising player welfare, while also attempting to separate cricketing matters from administrative influence. The move comes amid persistent scrutiny of selection processes and governance standards within the association. Rayudu said,

“I’m a firm believer that cricket should be separated from administration and all the other related matters. Cricket should be run with the players being the priority, and my job is to look after the players’ welfare. I want to make Hyderabad a powerhouse of domestic cricket."

Rayudu outlined a framework aimed at reducing manual intervention in cricketing operations, indicating a shift towards automation and defined systems. A player contract structure, similar to existing models in other associations, is under consideration as part of the overhaul. The emphasis remains on creating uniformity in opportunities across age groups.

“A player contract system, like the one that Mumbai Cricket Association announced recently, is in the pipeline. We will modernise and professionalise our cricketing operations, which will be automated to avoid human interference.”

Parallel to operational changes, the association has initiated measures targeting integrity concerns. Retired Justice Pingle Vijender will head a four-member anti-corruption unit, tasked with oversight and enforcement. A grievance redressal mechanism is also being introduced, aimed at addressing complaints through a structured and accessible system.

The association has confirmed ongoing efforts to expand cricketing infrastructure beyond urban centres. Facilities in Mahabubnagar, Karimnagar and Nizamabad have been developed or acquired, while discussions continue for land in Khammam, Warangal and Nalgonda. The timeline for finalisation is projected within the next two to three months.

The expansion aligns with Rayudu’s stated focus on widening the talent pool through open trials and structured pathways. Plans for a centre of excellence, modelled on established high-performance setups, are also part of the roadmap.

The administrative shift, combined with infrastructure development and policy changes, reflects an attempt to formalise cricketing operations within the association, placing defined systems alongside oversight mechanisms as immediate priorities.