Jagan Mohan Rao pledges massive prize money for Hyderabad if they win Ranji Trophy
Jagan Mohan Rao (Source- Twitter)
The Hyderabad cricket team roared back into the Elite Group for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season with a 5-wicket victory over Meghalaya in the Plate Group final on Tuesday. Chasing 198, the Tilak Varma-led team won the game on the fourth day, with the skipper and senior batter Gahlaut Rahul Singh striking half-centuries in the second innings. Tanay Thyagarajan, Nitesh Reddy, and Pragnay Reddy all delivered tremendous performances to help Hyderabad overcome Meghalaya in the final. Thyagarajan took 10 wickets in the match (five in each innings), and both Reddys scored hundreds in Hyderabad’s first innings.
Following the surprising victory, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) declared a reward of Rs 10 lakh for the Plate Group champions and Rs 50,000 for the top performers. Interestingly, association chairman Jagan Mohan Rao Arsihnapally has also given a BMW car to every player and a financial price of 1 crore INR to the squad if it manages to win the Ranji Trophy title within the next three years.
Hyderabad, which won the elite domestic championship in 1937-38 and 1986-87, fared the worst in the most recent edition. They were demoted to the plate level after finishing last in the Elite Group B points chart, with just one win in seven league-stage games.
I’m thrilled to announce a reward: Jagan Mohan Rao
Jagan Mohan Rao tweeted, “I’m thrilled to announce a reward of ₹10 Lakh for the Hyderabad Ranji team and ₹50,000 for the standout performers, in recognition of their winning in Ranji Trophy (Plate). On behalf of HCA also promised If the team wins the Ranji Elite Trophy in next 3 years, Rs.1 crore cash reward to the team and BMW Car for each player.“
“We had our first annual general meeting on Sunday wherein we discussed the way forward. At the moment, there is Hyderabad Cricket Academy of Excellence at the Gymkhana Grounds. I have proposed four satellite academies in four different parts of the city to make sure budding cricketers are scouted and given requisite facilities near their localities. As many as 10 districts come under HCA, so we have planned a mini stadium at each district headquarters to identify and groom talents. The iconic Moin-ud-Dowlah tournament will also be revamped.”
