Cricket in Hyderabad

Cricket in Hyderabad was introduced by the British army around 1880. The first first-class cricket match, with the initiative of Nawab Moin-ud-Dowla was played in Hyderabad was the Moin-ud-dowla Gold Cup in 1930-31. Besides Hyderabad, the two other teams participated in this tournament were Maharaj Kumar of Vizianagaram XI and Nawab of Moin-ud-Dowla XI. A few eminent cricketers who took part in that match were Masood Ahmed, Ahmed Ali, Nazeer Baig, and Khurshid Baig. In 1902-03 Oxford University Authentics came to India to play cricket. This was the first overseas team that came to Hyderabad to play cricket. The matches does not have any official records as it is not regarded as first class cricket. Cricket soon started becoming a very popular game in all over India. Matches took place between the Hindus, Muslims, Europeans, and Parsees. Hyderabad has many institutions like Nizam's College, Medical College, and Madarsa-I-Aliya that pioneer this game among the students. Initiated by Nawab Moin-ud-Dowla, Maharaja Kishan Pershad, and Nawab Salar Jung Bahadur cricket became a part of many schools and colleges in Hyderabad. Permanent cricket leagues were established as were the clubs like HUCC and SUCC formed. Hyderabad played against the Nawab of Moin-ud-Dowla XI at the Gymkhana club Grounds in 1934. Players like Mushtaq Ali, Lala Amarnath, and CS Nayudu played against Hyderabad in this match. With the advent of this match, Hyderabad started producing quality players who represented India worldwide, and keeps continuing doing so even today. Ranji Trophy National First Class Cricket Championships took place in the city in 1934. Nadir Shah Chenoy, DN Dittia, Ganesh Rao, Hussain Ali Khan, S.Ali Raza, Mahmood Hussain Khan, P F Durrand, Dattatriya and Rangannah soon after formed a local officiating body, which came to be known as Hyderabad Cricket Association in the same year's April.

Today the city has many stadiums where international tournaments are played. Hyderabad still continues producing promising players even today. Some of the most mentionable names that have made India proud are: Md. Azharuddin, V. Raju, V.V.S. Laxman etc.