MOHAMMED AZHARUDDIN

Mohammed Azharuddin is a former Indian Test and ODI cricket player who has successfully captained the Indian team during the 1990’s. Mohammed Azharuddin was born on 8th February, 1963 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Successfully pursuing his cricketing career over the years, Azharuddin has also gradually settled down at the home-front.

After divorcing his wife, he married Bollywood starlet Sangeeta Bijlani, and also has a son Mohammad Ayazuddin, who is also into cricket. Today, still facing a life ban from cricket for match-fixing, Azharuddin is busy with his newfound real estate business and also runs a gym named Est in Hyderabad.

Mohammed Azharuddin was an outstanding cricketer who held an excellent record in both Tests and limited overs game. He was a graceful right-handed batsman whose fluid batting style was similar to that of Englishman David Gower. He proved hostile towards spin and medium-pace attack, peppering the leg and off-sides with his classic wristy-flicks and timed stroke play.

Azharuddin was also known for his agility on the field with dazzling catches, amazing diving stops and nippy run-outs. Azharuddin was even a great leader and his captaincy enjoyed tremendous success. The major teams that Mohammed Azharuddin has represented are India, Hyderabad and Derbyshire.

Mohammed Azharuddin had an excellent first-class record of 229 matches, where he scored an amazing 15855 runs. He made his Test debut against England at Kolkata in December 1985. Since then he has played a mammoth 99 Tests, aggregating 6215 runs with 22 centuries, his highest Test score being 199 against Sri Lanka, and 105 brilliant catches. His notable Test performances include his 14 Test match wins as captain, 3 consecutive centuries in his debut matches and shares the record for the quickest Test century by an Indian.

He made his one-day international debut against England at Bangalore in March 1985. Since then, he has played in 334 ODI’s, scoring 9378 runs with 7 centuries, his highest being 153(not-out), and 156 stunning ODI catches. He has also appeared in four consecutive Cricket World Cup events, in 1987 as semi-finalists, 1992 Cup event, 1996 as semi-finalists, and in the 1999 Cup event. He has a spectacular 103 ODI wins as captain as well as shares the list with the fastest century makers in one-day cricket, namely Sanath Jayasuriya and Shahid Afridi.

Despite having an outstanding record, Mohammed Azharuddin’s tragic fall from cricket came at the peak of his career in the year 2000. This was due to his alleged role in match-fixing, as named in a confession by former South African captain Hansie Cronje, eventually leading to a life ban from cricket, thus ending his dream run.

However, for his immense contribution and dedication in the field of cricket, Mohammad Azharuddin was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1986, as well as, was honored with the ‘Wisden Cricketer of the Year’ in 1991.