Mohammad Azhar, India’s most legendary captain, stunned fans with a candid declaration—he wishes he never played cricket. His comments stem not from recent defeats, but from decades of neglect.
Stadium Snub Sparks Outrage
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) recently instructed the name of Azharuddin from the North Stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium be removed. The action accused him of utilising his role as HCA president to have the stand named in his honour.
Azhar termed the action “heartbreaking.” He said it’s an embarrassment to the sport and a personal slight. “I gave my life to cricket. This is how they thank me?” he questioned.
Corruption Claims and Election Ban
Azharuddin led the HCA from 2019 to 2023. During that time, he raised concerns about corruption inside the association. He now believes those actions got him banned from contesting future HCA elections.
“I complained about misconduct, and they closed the door on me,” he said. He intends to sue. He also wants the BCCI to intervene. “This battle isn’t for me. It’s for the game,” he said.
More Signs of Mismanagement
The latest squabble between the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL team and the HCA on ticketing illustrates further fissures in the system. Azhar asserts it’s part of an underlying issue. He feels there is poor leadership destroying the game’s image in Hyderabad.
“This is not merely a question of one man or one stand. It’s how cricket is being managed,” he cautioned.
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A Legacy Under Pressure
Azharuddin played 99 Tests and 334 ODIs for India. He was famous for his elegant batting and incisive captaincy. But controversy also dogged his career. In 2000, he was banned on charges of match-fixing. The court subsequently reversed the ban in 2012.
Undeterred, he came back to cricket administration and attempted to sanitise the system. But the system, it appears, did not want him back.
A Plea for Respect and Reform
Azhar’s tale is greater than a tragedy of an individual. It’s a reminder of how sporting associations treat their legends. His sorrow isn’t over runs or wickets—it’s over how he was overlooked.
“I don’t look for rewards. But respect? That’s not too much to ask,” he said.
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