I really don’t know the reasons for banning me: Mohammad Azharuddin

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin is known as one of the best batsmen produced by the country and he is famously known for his game on the leg side. In the well-known match-fixing scandal in the year 2000, the cricketer was handed a life ban by the BCCI. Later, after a long battle in the court, Azhar’s life ban was termed illegal in 2012.

Azharuddin played 99 Tests and scored 6125 runs at an average of 45. He also played 334 ODIs, scoring 9378 runs at 36.92. He holds the record for second-highest runs for India as a captain in international cricket. His career started with three consecutive centuries, however, ended sadly in 2000. Now, the former skipper has said that he still doesn’t know the reason for him getting banned.

“I don’t want to blame anyone for what happened. I really don’t know the reasons for banning me but had decided to fight it and I am grateful that after 12 years I got cleared. I felt very satisfied when after being elected president of Hyderabad association I went and attended the BCCI GM meeting.” Said Azharuddin in an interview with cricketpakistan.com.

After his ban was lifted in 2012, he was honored on quite a few occasions by BCCI. In 2019, he had a stand named after him at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. He rang the bell at the Eden Gardens ahead of an India match in 2018. He was also honored with a lap of honor in Eden Gardens last year during the pink ball match along with his fellow cricketers.

I captained for around 10 years, what more can I ask for?: Mohammad Azharuddin

The Hyderabad born player also said that he considers himself lucky to play for India for so many years. He played 99 Test matches and he doesn’t have any regret of not completing hundred matches. Azhar led India in three World Cup tournaments which is the most by any captain.

“I am a firm believer in fate and whatever is in your destiny it happens. I look at this way that nowadays if a player is a class act he ends up playing more than 100 Tests. So I don’t think this record of 99 Test matches that I hold is going to be broken,” Azharuddin said.

“I played for around 16 to 17 years and I captained for around 10 years. What more can I ask for,” he added