Ambati Rayudu Backs HCA Cricket Academy at Karimnagar's Alugunur Ground
Former India cricketer and Head of the Cricket Operations Committee of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), Ambati Rayudu, visited the Velchala Jagapathi Rao Memorial Cricket Ground & Academy at Alugunur in Karimnagar on Sunday to inspect facilities and support plans for establishing a new HCA Cricket Academy.
Rayudu was accompanied by T. Sheshnarayan, Chairman of the District Cricket Infrastructure Development Committee and former HCA Secretary, and Sunitha Anand, Head of Women’s Cricket Development at the HCA. The delegation inspected the ground, turf pitches, practice nets, and other cricketing infrastructure before holding discussions with Karimnagar District Cricket Association (KDCA) representatives.
V. Agam Rao, President of the KDCA, briefed the visiting officials on the academy's current infrastructure, ongoing initiatives, and turf wickets. He affirmed that the KDCA is prepared to add necessary facilities based on recommendations from the HCA.
Rayudu praised the standard of the ground, turf pitches, and practice nets, noting that the venue is capable of hosting BCCI-level tournaments and TG20 League fixtures. He stated that with further facility improvements, Karimnagar could become an important venue for competitive cricket, and assured that the HCA would plan to regularly schedule league matches at the ground to provide local players with more exposure.
During the visit, Sheshnarayan stated that district-level infrastructure development is a key priority for the association's leadership committees, agreeing that the venue is prepared for BCCI-level matches.
Rayudu also interacted with KDCA Under-16 boys and more than 40 women cricketers attending the HCA Women’s Open Selection Trials at the ground. Sunitha Anand spoke with the players and reviewed infrastructure dedicated to women's cricket.
The proposed HCA Cricket Academy at Karimnagar is planned to deliver structured coaching, quality training, and development pathways for male and female cricketers across Karimnagar and neighbouring districts in North Telangana.
