Hyderabad, Feb. 21 -- In India, cricket is more than a sport - it's an emotion. And Hyderabad has long shared an inseparable bond with the game. However, a troubling trend has emerged. The city is gradually fading from the international cricket map.

Despite hosting the India-England Test match in January 2024, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal has since seen a drought of international fixtures. Even during the 2023 ODI World Cup, not a single match featuring the Indian team was allotted to Hyderabad. These omissions have left local fans questioning the city's standing.

Negligence or political play?

According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) rotation policy, matches should be distributed equitably. The...