The Artist Mohammad Azharuddin

This great Indian middle order player will sadly be remember for his involvement in match fixing.Which sadly forced him into retirement without conviction it must be said.Though im a firm believer that for every player that is caught.I hazard to guess that 5 others get away with it.I say this from having a back ground as a troubled gambler,so I know how a person will sell their soul if there is a chance of financial gain.So I when I hear of such scandals I prefer to just let them be played out in the sensationalist media and chose instead to enjoy the beauty of the game.In truth in this sense this fine Indian player known affectionately as ‘Azhar’ was near the top of the tree.He was like a clone of the great VVS Laxman in regards to the beauty and wristiness of his shots.Which you’d pay a pretty penny and travel a long way to witness! He first came to World wide acclaim on the back of three consecutive centuries on his debut series of 85/5 in England.People were in awe of his artistry in particularly through the leg side.It was truly as sublime as viewing a young Elizabeth Taylor with the same striking beauty too.

Though don’t let you be mistaken that he was just a pretty player for my word the boy could play!Though he struggled against the short stuff like many of his team mates did. Aside from the truly elite and now the newer generation.Who seem to have found peace against it.Though I tend to think this has more to do with the more docile pitches batsmen play on these days.

It’s hard to pick just one innings as his finest for he scored 22 tons at a average of just over 45.Though his great hundred in 1990 against England at Lords is hard to pass over.In this 121 he hit 22 majestic boundaries and went at a strike rate of over 109.His leg side play in this innings was of such beauty rarely seen in the games history.In this innings he rode his luck but thankfully for the audience sitting on the edge of their seats.The fates were kind to the Artist who was showing all of the famous ‘Hyderabad chic.’Sadly he got out to the tame offerings of Eddie Hemmings. When he had the English bowlers on the rack and even the English crowd cheering him on for more.He was truly as delightful as Wimbledon’s peaches and cream and leaving the same satisfaction in the person indulging in him.

Sadly without conviction the allegations alone ended his career in 2000,Though I for one would like to thank him for the joy he brought into my viewing life!