This Indian pace attack is deadly and also the best in the world: Mohammad Azharuddin

Nobody perhaps finds the Eden Gardens as auspicious as him. Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin saw his career turning back from the edge quite a few times after producing gems at the same venue. Be it a timely 182 against England in 1993 or slamming a counter-attacking 109 against South Africa in 1996, Azharuddin chose the iconic stadium to announce that he was far from over.

The 56-year-old, who is currently the president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association, was among the former greats who were present at the Eden Gardens for the historic day-night Test between India and Pakistan that kicked off on Friday. Azhar, who also lifted the five-nation Hero Cup on this ground in 1993, said it always felt good to be back to his lucky ground.

Mohammad Azharuddin liked the reunion at Eden Gardens

“It feels good to be back at the Eden which is one of my favourite grounds. It is a reunion of sorts as we have the likes of Kapil Dev here. Most happy to see Chandu Borde who had a big role to play in me playing for the country,” India TV cited agencies as quoting Azharuddin, who turned a politician post his cricket career, as saying.

A major Indian captain who never won a Test outside the subcontinent, Azharuddin praised the current Indian bowling attack saying its consistency both at home and overseas makes it special.

“This Indian pace attack is deadly and also the best in the world because they have been doing well consistently both at home and on away soil,” Azharuddin said. The Indian pace troika comprising Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami picked all 10 wickets with the pink ball in just 29.3 overs with Ishant picking a fifer.

On whether the pink ball is the future of cricket, Azharuddin said he could not say it but added that a lot of factors had to be kept in mind, especially the dew. “If you wish to play Day-Night Tests, you have to do that consistently and cannot do it one-off,” said the former cricketer, who ended up playing 99 Tests before getting banned.

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