Team can’t win? Blame it on Vastu

The Deccan Chargers victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday has come as a huge relief for the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) officials as the result has convinced the franchisee owners that the home venue was not jinxed for the team.

The Hyderabad team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) had lost 10 matches in a row at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium that the Deccan Chargers management began to feel some “Vastu” problem that was responsible for the unwanted streak.

“After their loss against Rajasthan Royals, there was a suggestion to drain the water in the swimming pool and fill it with sand since the pool is located in the South-West direction and a water body there is considered inauspicious,” a HCA member told HT, on condition of anonymity.

The DC director-cricket operations, Venkat Reddy, also happens to be a vice president of HCA but the other members prevailed, saying it was just the start of the season and there was no need for any desperate measure.

The Chargers had conducted a 'hawan' after the first IPL season in 2008 after the team lost all seven home games at this venue. They played their home games outside Hyderabad for the next two years and managed to win the 2009 edition and reach the semifinals last year. However, the team also lost their two Champions League games at home in 2009.

“Had they not won now, we could have ended up spending a few lakhs on making a few changes in line with Vastu Shastra. Now we are saved of the expenditure,” the HCA official added.