Mohammad Azharuddin

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Mohammad Azharuddin

| image = Mohammad Azharuddin (1).jpg

| caption =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|02|08|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Hyderabad, Telangana, India

| nickname = Azhar, Azzu{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/Of-comparisons-and-imitations/article14929207.ece|title=Of comparisons and imitations|newspaper=The Hindu|date=1 March 2011|access-date=14 July 2023}}

| children = Mohammad Asaduddin

| office = Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha

| constituency = Moradabad

| term_start = {{Start date|2009|05|16|df=yes}}

| term_end = {{End date|2014|05|16|df=yes}}

| predecessor = Shafiqur Rahman Barq

| successor = Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar Singh

| party = Indian National Congress

| office2 = 27th President of Hyderabad Cricket Association

| term_start2 = 27 September 2019

| predecessor2 = Gaddam Vivek Venkatswamy

| office3 = Working President of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee

| term_start3 = 2 June 2014

| term_end3 =

| height = 179 cm{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/mohammad-azharuddin|title=Mohammad Azharuddin's profile|publisher=Sportskeeda|access-date=4 November 2023}}

| spouse = {{Unbulleted_list|{{Marriage|Naureen|1987|1996|reason=divorce}}|{{Marriage|Sangeeta Bijlani|1996|2010|reason=divorced}}|{{Marriage|Shannon Marie|2017|}}}}

| module = {{Infobox cricketer

| embed = yes

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling = Right-arm medium

| role = Batsman

| international = true

| internationalspan = 1984–2000

| country = India

| testcap = 169

| testdebutagainst = England

| testdebutdate = 31 December

| testdebutyear = 1984

| lasttestagainst = South Africa

| lasttestdate = 2 March

| lasttestyear = 2000

| odicap = 51

| odidebutagainst = England

| odidebutdate = 20 January

| odidebutyear = 1985

| lastodiagainst = Pakistan

| lastodidate = 3 June

| lastodiyear = 2000

| club1 = Hyderabad

| year1 = {{nowrap|1981–2000}}

| club2 = South Zone

| year2 = {{nowrap|1983–2001}}

| club3 = Derbyshire

| year3 = {{nowrap|1991–1994}}

| columns = 4

| column1 = Test

| column2 = ODI

| column3 = FC

| column4 = LA

| matches1 = 99

| matches2 = 334

| matches3 = 229

| matches4 = 433

| runs1 = 6,215

| runs2 = 9,378

| runs3 = 15,855

| runs4 = 12,941

| bat avg1 = 45.03

| bat avg2 = 36.92

| bat avg3 = 51.98

| bat avg4 = 39.33

| 100s/50s1 = 22/21

| 100s/50s2 = 7/58

| 100s/50s3 = 54/74

| 100s/50s4 = 11/85

| top score1 = 199

| top score2 = 153*

| top score3 = 226

| top score4 = 161*

| deliveries1 = 13

| deliveries2 = 552

| deliveries3 = 1,432

| deliveries4 = 827

| wickets1 = 0

| wickets2 = 12

| wickets3 = 17

| wickets4 = 15

| bowl avg1 = –

| bowl avg2 = 98.44

| bowl avg3 = 46.23

| bowl avg4 = 47.26

| fivefor1 = –

| fivefor2 = 0

| fivefor3 = 0

| fivefor4 = 0

| tenfor1 = –

| tenfor2 = 0

| tenfor3 = 0

| tenfor4 = 0

| best bowling1 = –

| best bowling2 = 3/19

| best bowling3 = 3/36

| best bowling4 = 3/19

| catches/stumpings1 = 105/0

| catches/stumpings2 = 156/0

| catches/stumpings3 = 220/0

| catches/stumpings4 = 200/0

| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/26329.html ESPNcricinfo

| date = 13 February

| year = 2009

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}}

}}

| termend2 = 2022

}}

Mohammad Azharuddin (born 8 February 1963) is an Indian politician and a former cricketer who also served as the Indian national cricket team's captain. He was a right-handed middle order batter and an occasional medium fast bowler. He played 99 Test matches and 334 One Day Internationals for India. As a captain, he led the team to wins in the 1990-91 and 1995 Asia Cups and reached the semi-finals of the 1996 Cricket World Cup. He was considered as one of the best ODI batsmen in the world and one of the greatest of his era. He captained India in three Cricket World Cups, the most by any Indian captain, all during the 1990s. He was also a part of the Indian squad which won the 1985 World Championship of Cricket.

His cricketing career came to an abrupt end in 2000 after he was banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India for life due to his alleged involvement in a match fixing scandal. In 2012, the Andhra Pradesh High Court lifted the life ban after appeal.{{cite news|title=Andhra Pradesh High Court Clears Azhar |url=https://www.thequint.com/sports/the-mohammad-azharuddin-timeline-how-the-cricketer-went-downhill|website=Quint|date=11 May 2016|access-date=10 August 2018}} In September 2019, he was elected as the president of Hyderabad Cricket Association.{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/former-india-captain-mohammad-azharuddin-hca-president-hyderabad-cricket-1604011-2019-09-27|title=Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin elected as HCA president|work=India Today|date=27 September 2019|access-date=28 September 2019}}

In 2009, Azharuddin joined Indian National Congress and was elected as a member of parliament for Moradabad. He was appointed as the President of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee in 2018.{{Cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/803242/mohammad-azharuddin-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-nawab-of-hyderabad|title=Mohammad Azharuddin: The rise and fall of the Nawab of Hyderabad|last=Choudhury|first=Angikaar|website=Scroll.in|date=15 February 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=1 April 2016}}

Early life

Azharuddin was born on 8 February 1963 in Hyderabad to Mohammad Azizuddin and Yousuf Sultana. He attended All Saints High School and graduated from Nizam College, Osmania University, with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.{{Cite web|url=http://www.azhar.co/biography.html|title=Biography of Azhar|work=azhar.co.in|access-date=12 May 2016}}

Azharuddin recalled that his maternal uncle Mir Zainulabiddin "who captained the Osmania University inspired [him] to take to cricket".{{cite web |last1=Menon |first1=Amarnath K. |title=Hyderabad batsman Mohammad Azharuddin rises as new batting sensation |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/sport/story/19850228-hyderabad-batsman-mohammad-azharuddin-rises-as-new-batting-sensation-769834-2013-11-26 |website=India Today |access-date=10 May 2025 |language=en |date=February 1985}} Additionally, one Brother K. M. Joseph of the All Saints High School played a role in inculcating the passion for cricket in him.{{cite web |title=Cricketers of the year: Mohammad Azharuddin |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/mohammad-azharuddin-154427 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 May 2025}} This was around 1973. Starting the 1977 season, Azharuddin was part of his high school team playing in the Hyderabad cricket league. He would subsequently play for the Deccan Blues team before going on to represent Osmania University in inter-university tournaments.

Azharuddin began as a seam bowler before progressing quickly to bat at number three, besides being the third seamer, for Hyderabad Schools in the South Zone Schools against the visiting English Schools side. He made his first-class debut aged 18 in the Ranji Trophy in its 1981–82 season playing for Hyderabad. In the 1982–83 and 1983–84 domestic seasons, Azharuddin scored 2,648 and 2,499 runs respectively. His performances received recognition when he scored a double-century in the Duleep Trophy in January 1984, playing for South Zone. In December that year, he scored centuries in both innings of the Ranji Trophy match against Andhra. In the same month, he earned a Test callup, against the visiting English side as a replacement to Sandeep Patil, in the Third Test of the series to be played at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta.

Career

=Debut and early years=

Azharuddin made his international debut for on 31 December 1984. He scored 110 in his first innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-india-1984-85-61797/india-vs-england-3rd-test-63393/full-scorecard|title=3rd Test, Eden Gardens, December 31, 1984 - January 05, 1985|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=1 November 2023}} He subsequently scored two more centuries in his next two Test matches in the series,{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/26329.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=start;runsmin1=100;runsval1=runs;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|title=List of centuries, Azharuddin|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=1 November 2023}} and became the first player to score three centuries in as many Tests.{{cite web |title=On This Day In 1985: Azharuddin Became First Batter To Score Centuries In His First Three Tests |url=https://www.news18.com/cricket/on-this-day-in-1985-azharuddin-became-first-batter-to-score-centuries-in-his-first-three-tests-9209327.html |website=News18 |access-date=9 May 2025 |language=en}} Following the Test series, Azharuddin made his One Day International (ODI) debut against the same opposition at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on 20 January 1985. He made an unbeaten 47.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-india-1984-85-61797/india-vs-england-3rd-odi-64251/full-scorecard|title=3rd ODI, Bengaluru, January 20, 1985, England tour of India|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=1 November 2023}} A month later, his unbeaten 93 took his team to victory against Pakistan at the World Championship of Cricket in a group stage fixture.{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Kush |title=1984 was a forgettable year for India, then Mohammad Azharuddin debuted |url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/1984-was-a-forgettable-year-for-india-then-mohammad-azharuddin-debuted/1360989 |website=ThePrint |access-date=9 May 2025 |date=8 February 2023}}

After a lean patch of form in the Test format, Azharuddin scored his fourth Test century in 1986 against the visiting Sri Lankans in Kanpur. He made 199, which included a 272-run stand with Kapil Dev for the sixth in the first innings. The match resulted in a draw.{{cite web |title=INDIA v SRI LANKA 1986-87 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/india-v-sri-lanka-1986-87-152000 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=9 May 2025}}

=Captaincy of national team=

In 1989, Azharuddin was appointed as the captain of the Indian team succeeding Krishnamachari Srikkanth.{{Cite web|title=India Cricket Team Records & Stats: Test Captains|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/nzveng/engine/records/individual/list_captains.html?class=1&id=6&type=team|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} He led the Indian team in 47 Test matches and 174 One Day Internationals.{{Cite web|title=India Cricket Team Records & Stats: ODI Captains|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/individual-list-captains/india-6/one-day-internationals-2|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} He led the team to victory in 14 tests and 90 ODIs, both records until surpassed by Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni respectively.{{cite news|title=Virat Kohli has to behave like a captain, says Mohammad Azharuddin|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/virat-kohli-has-to-behave-like-a-captain-says-mohammad-azharuddin/1148650/|access-date=6 January 2014|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=30 July 2013}}{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/azhar-movie-trailer-mohammad-azharuddin-emraan-hashmi-2797198/|title=Azhar: Here's all the real-life drama from Mohammad Azharuddin's life|newspaper=Indian Express|date=13 May 2016|access-date=14 May 2016}}

During India's tour of England in 1990, Azharuddin scored 121 in the first Test at Lord's.{{Cite web|title=1st Test, Lord's, July 26 - 31, 1990, India tour of England|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-england-1990-62275/england-vs-india-1st-test-63534/full-scorecard|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} Though India lost the match, former England cricketer Vic Marks called it "the most dazzling Test century" he had ever witnessed, in his column for The Observer.{{cite news|last1=Smyth |first1=Rob |title=The Joy of Six: England v India memories |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/jul/22/joy-of-six-england-india-cricket |website=The Guardian |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012182454/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/jul/22/joy-of-six-england-india-cricket |archive-date=12 October 2018 |language=en |date=22 July 2011}} In the second Test in Manchester, Azharuddin scored his tenth Test century, making 179 runs while putting on a 112-run stand with Sachin Tendulkar in the first innings. Playing his 39th Test, he reached his century off 155 balls.{{Cite web|title=

2nd Test, Manchester, August 09 - 14, 1990, India tour of England|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-england-1990-62275/england-vs-india-2nd-test-63535/full-scorecard|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} Azharuddin ended the series with 426 runs at an average of 85.20 which was the highest tally by an India captain in a Test series in England until it was broken by Virat Kohli in 2018.{{cite news |title=King Kohli Slams 23rd Test Ton, Pips Dhoni & Records he Broke |url=https://www.india.com/sports/india-vs-england-3rd-test-day-3-trent-bridge-icc-no-1-test-batsman-virat-kohli-slams-23rd-test-century-pips-ms-dhoni-joins-sachin-tendulkar-and-other-records-he-broke-3246770/|access-date=1 May 2020|work=India Today|date=20 August 2018|language=en}}{{cite web|last1=Bland |first1=Gareth |title=In praise of Azhar |url=http://www.cricketweb.net/in-praise-of-azhar/|website=cricketweb.net|date=17 February 2016|access-date=1 May 2020}}

=Asia Cup victories and World Cups=

Azharuddin led India to victory in the 1990–91 Asia Cup beating Sri Lanka in the final. He scored 54 runs in the final and was named Man of the Match.{{cite web|title=Asia cup final 1990-91, Scorecard|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-1990-91-60913/india-vs-sri-lanka-final-65684/full-scorecard|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} He then led India at the 1992 World Cup where his team were knocked out in the group stage and finished seventh out of nine teams with two wins in eight matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/60924.html?view=pointstable|title=Points table, 1992 World cup|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} India won the 1995 Asia Cup beating Sri Lanka by 8 wickets in the final where Azharuddin captained the side and won the man of the match scoring runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pepsi-asia-cup-1994-95-60971/india-vs-sri-lanka-final-65691/full-scorecard|title=Final, Sharjah, April 14, 1995, Pepsi Asia Cup|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} Azharuddin again led the team in the 1996 World Cup co-hosted by India.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/wills-world-cup-1995-96-60981/points-table-standings|title=Points table, 1996 World cup|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} India finished in third place in the group stage, qualifying for the quarter finals where they beat Pakistan by 39 runs to make it to the semi finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/wills-world-cup-1995-96-60981/india-vs-pakistan-2nd-qf-65187/full-scorecard|title=2nd QF (D/N), Bengaluru, March 09, 1996, Wills World Cup|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} India lost in the semifinals to Sri Lanka after the match was abandoned midway due to crowd trouble when India were eight wickets down for 120 runs in response to Sri Lanka's score of 251/8.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/wills-world-cup-1995-96-60981/india-vs-sri-lanka-1st-semi-final-65190/full-scorecard|title=1st Semi-Final (D/N), Eden Gardens, March 13, 1996, Wills World Cup|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}}

=Later years=

During the second test of South Africa's India tour in 1996–97 at Kolkata, Azharuddin scored a century off 74 deliveries equaling Kapil Dev's record for the fastest test century by an India player and fourth overall, in terms of balls faced.{{cite news|last1=Menon|first1=Mohandas|title=Azhar's record breaking knock|url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961130/33550632.html|access-date=18 October 2018|work=The Indian Express|date=30 November 1996|archive-date=24 April 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970424082104/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961130/33550632.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Jaishankar|first1=Vedam|title=Amazing Azhar onslaught revives India at Eden|url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961130/33550332.html|access-date=18 October 2018|work=The Indian Express|date=30 November 1996|archive-date=24 April 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970424081844/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961130/33550332.html|url-status=dead}} Azharuddin scored another century in the next test making an unbeaten 163 and helped India record their biggest win in Test history in terms of runs (280) at the time.{{cite web|title=Biggest margin|url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961213/34850532.html|work=The Indian Express|access-date=19 October 2018|date=13 December 1996|archive-date=22 April 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970422174133/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961213/34850532.html|url-status=dead}} He was named the man of the match and the series after aggregating 388 runs at an average of 77.60{{cite news|last1=Magazine|first1=Pradeep|title=India wrap up victory quickly|url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961213/34850522.html|access-date=19 October 2018|work=The Indian Express|date=13 December 1996|archive-date=22 April 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970422172139/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961213/34850522.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Cricket Records / Records / South Africa in India Test Series, 1996/97 / Most runs |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=376;type=series|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} Azharuddin scored seven centuries in ODIs with a best of 153 coming against Zimbabwe on 9 April 1998 in Cuttack.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pepsi-triangular-series-1997-98-61024/india-vs-zimbabwe-5th-match-66141/full-scorecard|title=5th Match, Cuttack, April 09, 1998, Pepsi Triangular Series|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} He scored the last of his 22 centuries in tests against South Africa in Bangalore in March 2000, which also turned out to be the last test match in his career.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-india-1999-00-61857/india-vs-south-africa-2nd-test-63871/full-scorecard|title=2nd Test, Bengaluru, March 02 - 06, 2000, South Africa tour of India|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}} Azharuddin played the final match of his international career in an ODI against Pakistan on 3 June 2000 in the 2000 Asia Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-2000-61067/india-vs-pakistan-5th-match-65703/full-scorecard|title=5th Match (D/N), Dhaka, June 03, 2000, Asia Cup|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 October 2023}}

=Match fixing allegations and ban=

During India's tour of South Africa in 2000, a series that was won by India 3–2, Azharuddin scored only 112 runs at an average of 28.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/mohammad-azharuddin-match-fixer-full-story-his-ban-lifted|title=Everyone thinks Mohammad Azharuddin was a match-fixer. But what is the full story and why was his ban lifted?|date=12 May 2016 |publisher=Sports Keeda|access-date=1 November 2023}} he was accused of match fixing in the match fixing scandal that erupted in the aftermath of the series.{{cite report|url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2000/nov/01full26.htm|title=The CBI Report in Full – Part 26|via=Rediff.com|date=1 November 2000|access-date=21 December 2010}} Then captain of South Africa Hansie Cronje stated that Azharuddin was the one to introduce him to bookies.{{cite report|url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2000/nov/01full25.htm#azza1| title=The CBI Report in Full – Part 25|via=Rediff.com|date=1 November 2000|access-date=21 December 2010}} International Cricket Council and BCCI banned Azharuddin for life based on a report by Central Bureau of Investigation.{{cite report|url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2000/nov/01full.htm|title=Full text of the CBI|date=1 November 2000|via=Rediff.com|publisher=Central Bureau of Investigation, New Delhi|access-date=21 December 2010}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/4774886/Azharuddin-confesses-all.html|access-date=11 January 2022|title=Azharuddin confesses all|date=2 November 2000}}

=Post-retirement=

In 2003, a trial court upheld the lifetime ban but it was later overturned on 8 November 2012 by a divisional bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/court-quashes-life-ban-azhar-2372197|title=Court quashes life ban on Azhar|publisher=Deccan Herald|date=8 November 2004|access-date=21 October 2023}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/i-have-come-out-clean-and-proven-many-wrong/article4077225.ece|title=Match fixing scandal|newspaper=The Hindu|date=8 November 2012|access-date=21 March 2015 }} In 2019, Azhar was elected as the president of Hyderabad Cricket Association.

Personal life

Azharuddin married Naureen in 1987 and they had two sons, Mohammad Asaduddin and Mohammad Ayazuddin. In 1996, he divorced Naureen and married actress Sangeeta Bijlani. After Azharuddin's rumored affairs with multiple people, notably badminton player Jwala Gutta, Sangeeta filed for a divorce in 2010.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/badminton/Jwala-in-Bijli-out-of-Azharuddins-life/articleshow/6207416.cms|title=Jwala in, Bijli out of Azharuddin's life?|date=24 July 2010|access-date=15 May 2016|newspaper=The Times of India}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/India/Azharuddin_May_File_Divorce_From_Sangeeta_Within_A_Week_-3958.html|title=Azhar dating badminton player Jwala Gutta|work=India tv News|access-date=12 May 2016}}{{Cite news|title=From love at first sight to divorce: The tragic love story of ex-India captain Md Azharuddin and Sangeeta Bijlani |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/cricket/photo-gallery-from-love-at-first-sight-to-divorce-the-tragic-love-story-of-ex-india-captain-md-azharuddin-and-sangeeta-bijlani-2906301|access-date=6 June 2022|website=DNA India|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Mohammad Azharuddin birthday special: Know Indian cricketer Azhar, his love life and three wives! |url=https://www.india.com/photos/sports/mohammad-azharuddin-birthday-special-know-indian-cricketer-azhar-his-love-life-and-three-wives-92541/|access-date=6 June 2022|website=india.com|language=en}} His younger son Ayazuddin died in a bike accident in 2011.{{Cite news|date=17 September 2011|title=Azharuddin's teenage son dies 5 days after bike crash|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/azharuddins-teenage-son-dies-5-days-after-bike-crash/articleshow/10013733.cms|access-date=6 June 2022|newspaper=Times of India|language=en}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/azharuddins-son-dead/article2458834.ece|title = Azharuddin's son dead|newspaper=The Hindu|date = 16 September 2011|access-date=6 June 2022}}{{cite news|title=Speed thrilled, killed 200 kmph Ayaz|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/investigation/speed-thrilled-killed-200-kmph-ayaz|date=18 September 2011|access-date=6 June 2022|archive-date=16 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116074301/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/investigation/speed-thrilled-killed-200-kmph-ayaz|url-status=dead}} His elder son Asaduddin is a domestic cricketer and he married Anam Mirza, the sister of Sania Mirza in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/celebrity/story/sania-mirza-s-sister-anam-announces-marriage-with-mohammad-asaduddin-in-stunning-instagram-post-1627615-2019-12-12|title=Sania Mirza's sister Anam marries Mohd Azharuddin's son Asaduddin in Hyderabad|newspaper=India Today|language=en|access-date=15 December 2019|agency=Ist}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/in-other-news/121219/mohammad-azharuddins-son-asad-marries-sania-mirzas-sister-anam-see.html|title=Mohammad Azharuddin's son Asad marries Sania Mirza's sister Anam; see pics and videos|date=12 December 2019|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=15 December 2019}}

Playing style

Azharuddin was a right handed middle order batsman and an occasional medium fast bowler. He was known for his graceful and fluid batting style.{{cite web |title=Mohammad Azharuddin: The magician who made batting look stunningly surreal |url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/mohammad-azharuddin-the-magician-who-made-batting-look-stunningly-surreal-22855 |website=cricketcountry.com|access-date=10 August 2018|date=7 February 2016}} John Woodcock, a cricket writer, said of him, "It's no use asking an Englishman to bat like Mohammad Azharuddin. It would be like expecting a greyhound to win The Derby."{{cite book|last=Astill|first=James|title=The Great Tamasha: Cricket, corruption and the turbulent rise of modern India |year=2013|page=132|publisher=Wisden Sports Writing|isbn=978-1408156926}} Former cricketer and umpire Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan stated that "Azharuddin had the best wrists in the game". Mike Atherton and Angus Fraser said Azharuddin's "genius was second only to Brian Lara among batsmen of their generation."

Statistics

{{further|List of international cricket centuries by Mohammad Azharuddin}}

Predominantly a middle order batsman, Azharuddin played 99 test matches for India and scored 6,215 runs at an average of 45.03, including 22 centuries and 21 half-centuries.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/mohammad-azharuddin-26329|title=Mohammad Azharuddin, profile|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=23 October 2023}} He scored 9,378 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs) from 334 matches at an average of 36.92 and 156 catches as a fielder. Azharuddin made his debut with a 110 against England in Kolkata in 1984 and scored 102 against South Africa in Bangalore in his last match, becoming the first Indian and the fifth batsman ever to score a century in his first and last Test matches.{{cite web|url=

https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/mohammad-azharuddin-26329|title=Hundreds on debut|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=23 October 2023}}

Team !Runs !Average !100s !Highest score
class="wikitable sortable"
Australia	780	39.00	2	163*
England	1978	58.09	6	182
New Zealand	1152	61.23	2	192
Pakistan	1089	40.47	3	141
South Africa	915	41.00	4	163*
Sri Lanka	1215	55.23	5	199
West Indies	539	28.37	0	97
Zimbabwe	59	14.75	0	42
Total	6215	45.04	22	199

Political career

Azharuddin joined Indian National Congress party on 19 February 2009. He won the 2009 general election from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh to become a member of parliament.{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/azhar-seat-congress-lost-last-two-times-pitch-bigger-yards-9011858/|title=Premium Azharuddin pads up for Congress|publisher=Indian Express|date=3 November 2023|access-date=4 November 2023}} He contested the 2014 election from Tonk–Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan but lost to Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria of the Bharatiya Janata Party.{{cite news|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/general-elections-2014/mohammad-azharuddin-loses-from-tonk-sawai-madhopur-seat-in-rajasthan_932636.html|title=Mohammad Azharuddin loses from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur seat in Rajasthan|date=14 May 2016|newspaper=Zee News|access-date=3 November 2023}} In 2018, he was appointed working president of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.{{cite news|title=Mohammad Azharuddin appointed working president of Telangana Congress|date=30 November 2018|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/telangana-elections/mohammad-azharuddin-appointed-working-president-of-telangana-congress/story-oOt3c0remVQH8g9zPSOYuM.html|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2 November 2023}}{{cite news|title=New innings: Mohammad Azharuddin is Congress's working president in Telangana|date=30 November 2018|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/mohammad-azharuddin-congress-working-president-telangana-1399569-2018-11-30|author=Supriya Bhardwaj|work=India Today|access-date=2 November 2023}} He contested the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly election from Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad but lost to Maganti Gopinath of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi.{{Cite news|date=2 November 2023|title=Telangana Assembly Polls 2023: BJP Releases 3rd List; Puts Lankala Deepak against Azharuddin|newspaper=Times Now|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/telangana-assembly-polls-2023-bjp-releases-3rd-list-puts-lankala-deepak-vs-azharuddin-article-104912006|access-date=2 November 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://results.eci.gov.in/AcResultGenDecNew2023/ConstituencywiseS2961.htm|title=Results constituency wise|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=5 December 2023}}

Awards

Azharuddin was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1986 and India's fourth-highest civilian award Padma Shri in 1988.{{cite news|url=http://www.odishabook.com/Aticle/More/General-Knowledge/2014/01/13/List-of-Arjun-Awards-for-Cricket|title=List of Arjuna Awardees|work=Odisha book|access-date=14 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508073747/http://www.odishabook.com/Aticle/More/General-Knowledge/2014/01/13/List-of-Arjun-Awards-for-Cricket|archive-date=8 May 2016|url-status=usurped}} He was named one of five Wisden's cricketers of the year for 1991.{{cite news |last1=Popham|first1=Peter|title=Azhar's world in ruins|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/azhars-world-in-ruins-623891.html|access-date=19 December 2018|work=The Independent|date=5 November 2000|language=en}}

Azharuddin has also received doctorate degree (honoris causa) from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi on 21 September 2023.

In popular culture

The Bollywood film Azhar, directed by Tony D'Souza, was based on his life. The film featured Emraan Hashmi as Azharuddin and was released on 13 May 2016.{{cite news|title=Azhar Plot Summary|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Azhar-Plot-Summary/articleshow/52250296.cms|access-date=10 August 2018|date=13 May 2016|newspaper=Times of India|language=en}}{{cite news|title=Sorry Bollywood, The Truth About Azhar Lies in His Own Confessions|url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/in/entry/sorry-bollywood-the-truth_b_10001876|date=14 July 2016|access-date=14 July 2016|language=en}} The Netflix film Caught Out: Crime. Corruption. Cricket. depicting the investigations and allegations of match fixing against former cricketers including Mohammad Azharuddin premiered on 17 March 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/caught-out-crime-corruption-cricket-documentary-review-the-cinematic-retelling-of-indian-crickets-match-fixing-saga-feels-incomplete/article66664204.ece|title='Caught Out: Crime. Corruption. Cricket.' documentary review: The cinematic retelling of Indian cricket's match-fixing saga feels incomplete|date=17 March 2023|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=1 November 2023}}