Ambati Rayudu Bypasses BCCI To Set New Rules For SRH

Ambati Rayudu bypasses BCCI [Source: AFP/X]

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu bypassed the BCCI, promising suitable playing conditions to Sunrisers Hyderabad for their home matches at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in IPL 2027. 

Led by Pat Cummins, SRH have enjoyed stellar success in IPL 2026. The 2016 edition winners have qualified for the playoffs, having won 9 of 14 group-stage fixtures. 

They defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their final group-stage clash and will play the Eliminator on May 27. 

Amid the Sunrisers' prolific IPL 2026 journey, Ambati Rayudu has assured them of home advantage in the next season of the tournament. 

Ambati Rayudu wants to make Hyderabad pitch tailor-made for SRH

The Sunrisers Hyderabad have a formidable batting unit comprising Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen. 

The presence of dynamic players like Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora and Aniket Verma empowers them with batting depth, and they heavily rely on their stroke-players to win matches in the IPL. 

As far as the playing conditions in the IPL are concerned, every team looks to capitalise on the home advantage. 

Each team plays half of its group-stage matches on home soil; so, winning a majority of those fixtures holds paramount importance for every team to qualify for the IPL playoffs. 

Also Read: When Travis Head, Virat Kohli Joined Forces To Rattle Pat Cummins In IPL

Ambati Rayudu serves as the Director (Head) of Cricket Operations of the Hyderabad Cricket Association. 

Given that SRH believe in outbatting their opponents, Rayudu assured them that they would get pitches of their choice at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium for home games in the IPL 2027. 

"They are going to get whatever they want. I am very, very clear. We'll have a post-season meeting with them. We will assess and ask them what they need and we'll make it tailor-made for them. We want SRH to win", Rayudu said during a show on ESPNCricinfo. 

Did Ambati Rayudu go against BCCI policy?

According to the existing BCCI guideline, the IPL franchises don't have any say regarding the nature of pitches being used for their home matches. 

The BCCI appoints independent curators to prepare the IPL pitches so that neutrality is maintained, entirely ruling out the home advantage factor. 

In fact, none of the IPL franchises have access to the main pitch, which is accessible only to authorised ground staff, the umpires and the IPL officials. 

According to the latest report by TOI, the BCCI have maintained a six-point guideline while preparing pitches for the IPL matches. The guidelines are mentioned below. 

• Minimal help for bowlers recommended by the board.
• BCCI curator to be present with local curator at every venue to prevent interference.
• Central curators team will fully take over pitches for IPL playoffs and final.
• Boundaries to be capped at 77 metres maximum.
• Pitches should offer little lateral movement and no excessive spin.
• Uniform grass cover mandated to avoid dry pitches. 

Thus, it will be an uphill task for Ambati Rayudu to fulfil the promise he has made to the Sunrisers Hyderabad, as the BCCI doesn't tolerate external influence while deciding the playing conditions in IPL. 

SRH home record in IPL 2026: Do they really need doctored pitches to succeed?

Final conclusion (Debashis's opinion)

Despite neutral curators monitoring the playing conditions, SRH have been magnificent at home in IPL 2026. Statistically, the Orange Army have won five out of seven home games this season. 

While Abhishek, Ishan and Klaasen have been remarkably consistent as SRH's go-to batters, the likes of Sakib Hussain, Pat Cummins, Shivang Kumar and Praful Hinge have emerged as potent weapons with the ball. 

Given that they have a balanced team, studded by impactful batters and wily bowlers, we reckon SRH don't really need doctored pitches and can thrive regardless of the playing conditions.

Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah Slandered By Ram Charan, Public Comment Out