Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium stands named after former cricketers

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Nov 9 (IANS) The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) here on Sunday named eight stands of the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium after former Indian players.

Recognising the services of yesteryear stars who used to play for Hyderabad, the HCA has put up the names of eight stars -- four on each side of the stadium.

They are former India captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Abbas Ali Baig, Gul Mohammed, Nawab Mohammed Hussain, Syed Abid Ali, P. Krishnamurthy, H.K. Jayantilal and M.V. Narasimha Rao.

The names were unveiled during the third One-Day International (ODI) between India and Sri Lanka.

Nawab Mohammed Hussain was the first cricketer from Hyderabad but did not play any international match. The remaining players not only played for Hyderabad but also went on to represent India.

Gul Mohammed played eight tests for India (1946-52) and one for Pakistan after he migrated to that country.

The stadium's south-end pavilion is already named after former Test cricketer N. Shivlal Yadav, who is currently the interim president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). As then president of HCA, Yadav played a key role in building the stadium.

In 2012, the HCA named the north-end pavilion after V.V.S. Laxman when he announced his retirement.

The two gates of the stadium are also already named after two great Hyderabadi stars -- Ghulam Ahmed and M.L. Jaisimha.