View source for Mohammad Azharuddin

{{short description|Indian cricketer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{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
|alma_mater = [[Nizam College]]<br>[[Osmania University]]
| nickname            = Azhar, Azzu<ref>{{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}}</ref>
| children            = [[Mohammad Asaduddin]]
| office              = [[Revanth Reddy ministry|Minister for Public Enterprises and Minorities Welfare]]<ref>https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/telangana/md-azharuddin-gets-public-enterprises-and-minorities-welfare-portfolios-1914731</ref><br>[[Government of Telangana]]
| term_start          = 31 October 2025<ref name="Ex-cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin sworn in as minister in Telangana cabinet">{{cite news |title=Ex-cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin sworn in as minister in Telangana cabinet |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/excricketer-mohammad-azharuddin-sworn-in-as-minister-in-telangana-cabinet-101761894574110.html |access-date=31 October 2025 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=31 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
| term_end            = 
| governor            = [[Jishnu Dev Varma]]
| 1blankname          = Chief Minister
| 1namedata           = [[Revanth Reddy]]

| office1              = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| constituency1        = [[Moradabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Moradabad]]
| term_start1          = {{Start date|2009|05|16|df=yes}}
| term_end1            = {{End date|2014|05|16|df=yes}}
| predecessor1         = [[Shafiqur Rahman Barq]]
| successor1           = [[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             = [[Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee| Working President of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee]]
| term_start3         = 2 June 2014
| term_end3           = 
| height              = 179 cm<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/mohammad-azharuddin|title=Mohammad Azharuddin's profile|publisher=[[Sportskeeda]]|access-date=4 November 2023}}</ref>
| 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 pace bowling|medium]]
| role                = [[Batting (cricket)|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 cricket team|Hyderabad]]
| year1               = {{nowrap|1981–2000}}
| club2               = [[South Zone cricket team|South Zone]]
| year2               = {{nowrap|1983–2001}}
| club3               = [[Derbyshire County Cricket Club|Derbyshire]]
| year3               = {{nowrap|1991–1994}}
| columns             = 4
| column1             = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| column2             = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| column3             = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| column4             = [[List A cricket|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[[not out|*]]
| top score3          = 226
| top score4          = 161[[not out|*]]
| 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      =<!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS-->
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Asia Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1988 Asia Cup|1988 Bangladesh]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[1990–91 Asia Cup|1990–91 India]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[1995 Asia Cup|1995 UAE]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1997 Asia Cup|1997 Sri Lanka]]|}}
}}
| termend2            = 2022
}}

{{Infobox military person
| name = National Captaincy of M. Azharuddin
| allegiance = {{flagicon|India}} [[India national cricket team]]
| serviceyears_label = Captaincy
| serviceyears = ''1989–1996, 1998–1999''
| battles_label = Series
| battles = {{tree list}}

*[[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]]
**[[Indian cricket team in New Zealand in 1989–90|New Zealand 1989–90]] <small>🔴 · ❌</small>
**[[Indian cricket team in New Zealand in 1993–94|New Zealand 1993–94]] <small>🟡 · 🟡</small>
**[[Indian cricket team in New Zealand in 1998–99|New Zealand 1998–99]] <small>🔴 · 🟡</small>

*[[England cricket team|England]]
**[[Indian cricket team in England in 1990|England 1990]] <small>🔴 · 🔴</small>
**[[English cricket team in India in 1992–93|England in India 1992–93]] <small>🟢 · 🟡</small>
**[[Indian cricket team in England in 1996|England 1996]] <small>🔴 · 🔴</small>

*[[Australia national cricket team|Australia]]
**[[Indian cricket team in Australia in 1991–92|Australia 1991–92]] <small>🔴 · 🔴</small>

*[[South African cricket team|South Africa]]
**[[Indian cricket team in South Africa in 1992–93|South Africa 1992–93]] <small>🔴 · 🔴</small>

*[[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]]
**[[Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 1993|Sri Lanka 1993]] <small>🟡 · 🔴</small>

*[[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]]
**[[West Indian cricket team in India in 1994–95|West Indies in India 1994–95]] <small>🟡 · 🟢</small>

*[[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]]
**[[Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 1992–93|Zimbabwe 1992–93]] <small>🟡 · 🟢</small>
**[[Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 1998–99|Zimbabwe 1998–99]] <small>🔴 · 🟢</small>

*[[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]]
**[[Pakistani cricket team in India in 1998–99|Pakistan in India 1998–99]] <small>🟡 · ❌</small>

*[[India national cricket team|Home series]]
**[[Sri Lankan cricket team in India in 1990–91|Sri Lanka in India 1990–91]] <small>🟢 · 🟢</small>
**[[West Indian cricket team in India in 1994–95|West Indies in India 1994–95]] <small>🟡 · 🟢</small>
**[[New Zealand cricket team in India in 1995–96|New Zealand in India 1995–96]] <small>🟢 · 🟢</small>
**[[Sri Lankan cricket team in India in 1993–94|Sri Lanka in India 1993–94]] <small>🟢 · 🟢</small>
**[[South African cricket team in India in 1996–97|South Africa in India 1996–97]] <small>🟡 · 🟢</small>

*[[International cricket|Tournaments]]
**[[Cricket World Cup|Men’s Cricket World Cup]]
***[[1992 Cricket World Cup|1992 World Cup]] <small>🟡</small>
***[[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996 World Cup]] <small>🟡</small>
***[[1999 Cricket World Cup|1999 World Cup]] <small>🟡</small>
**[[Asia Cup|Asia Cup]]
***[[1990–91 Asia Cup|1990–91 Asia Cup]] <small>🟢</small>
***[[1995 Asia Cup|1995 Asia Cup]] <small>🟢</small>

{{tree list/end}}
}}

'''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 [[Batting order (cricket)|middle order batter]] and an occasional [[Fast bowling|medium fast]] bowler. He played 99 [[Test cricket|Test matches]] and 334 [[One Day International]]s for India. As a captain, he led the team to wins in the [[1990–91 Asia Cup|1990–91]] and [[1995 Asia Cup]]s 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 Cup]]s, 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 involvement in a [[South Africa cricket match fixing|match fixing scandal]]. In 2012, the [[Andhra Pradesh High Court]] lifted the life ban after appeal.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In September 2019, he was elected as the president of [[Hyderabad Cricket Association]].<ref name="HCA">{{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}}</ref>

In 2009, Azharuddin joined [[Indian National Congress]] and was elected as a [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|member of parliament]] for [[Moradabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Moradabad]]. He was appointed as the [[Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee|Working President of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee]] in 2018.<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref>

Azharuddin took oath as Minister in Telangana Cabinet on 31 October 2025,<ref name="Azharuddin sworn in as Telangana Minister">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Azharuddin sworn in as Telangana Minister |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/azharuddin-sworn-in-as-minister-in-telangana-cabinet/article70224523.ece |access-date=31 October 2025 |publisher=The Hindu |date=31 October 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="Azharuddin Takes Oath as Minister">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Azharuddin Takes Oath as Minister |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/telangana/azharuddin-takes-oath-as-minister-1913844 |access-date=31 October 2025 |work= |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=31 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Former Indian captain Azharuddin starts new innings as Telangana Minister">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Former Indian captain Azharuddin starts new innings as Telangana Minister |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/former-indian-cricket-captain-azharuddin-starts-new-innings-as-telangana-minister/article70225709.ece |access-date=1 November 2025 |publisher=The Hindu |date=31 October 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref> allocated Minorities Welfare and Public Enterprises portfolios on November 4th and assumed charge on November 10th in Telangana Secretariat.<ref name="Mohammad Azharuddin takes charge as Telangana state minister, to focus on minority welfare">{{cite news |title=Mohammad Azharuddin takes charge as Telangana state minister, to focus on minority welfare |url=https://theprint.in/india/mohammad-azharuddin-takes-charge-as-telangana-state-minister-to-focus-on-minority-welfare/2780845/ |access-date=10 November 2025 |publisher=ThePrint |date=10 November 2025}}</ref><ref name="Mohammed Azharuddin assumes charge as Minorities Welfare and Public Enterprises Minister">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Mohammed Azharuddin assumes charge as Minorities Welfare and Public Enterprises Minister |url=https://telanganatoday.com/mohammed-azharuddin-assumes-charge-as-minorities-welfare-and-public-enterprises-minister |access-date=10 November 2025 |publisher=Telangana Today |date=10 November 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Azharuddin Takes Charge as Minister">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Azharuddin Takes Charge as Minister |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/telangana/azharuddin-takes-charge-as-minister-1915998 |access-date=10 November 2025 |work= |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=10 November 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

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

Azharuddin recalled that his maternal uncle Mir Zainulabiddin "who captained the Osmania University inspired [him] to take to cricket".<ref name="IT1">{{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}}</ref> Additionally, one Brother K. M. Joseph of the All Saints High School<ref name="IT1"/> played a role in inculcating the passion for cricket in him.<ref name="ESPNcricinfo1">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="IT1"/>

Azharuddin began as a [[Seam bowling|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.<ref name="ESPNcricinfo1"/> He made his [[First class cricket|first-class]] debut aged 18 in the [[Ranji Trophy]] in its [[1981–82 Ranji Trophy|1981–82 season]] playing for [[Hyderabad cricket team|Hyderabad]]. In the 1982–83 and 1983–84 domestic seasons, Azharuddin scored 2,648 and 2,499 runs respectively.<ref name="IT1"/> His performances received recognition when he scored a double-century in the [[Duleep Trophy]] in January 1984, playing for [[South Zone cricket team|South Zone]].<ref name="ESPNcricinfo1"/> In December that year, he scored centuries in both innings of [[1984–85 Ranji Trophy|the Ranji Trophy]] match against [[Andhra cricket team|Andhra]].<ref name="IT1"/> In the same month, he earned a Test callup, against [[English cricket team in India and Sri Lanka in 1984–85|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]].<ref name="ESPNcricinfo1"/>

==Career==
===Debut and early years===
Azharuddin made his international debut for India on 31 December 1984 against England. He scored 110 in his first [[innings]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> He subsequently scored two more [[Century (cricket)|centuries]] in his next two Test matches in the series,<ref name="Cent">{{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}}</ref> and became the first player to score three centuries in as many Tests.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 [[Not out|unbeaten]] 47.<ref>{{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}}</ref> A month later, his unbeaten 93 took his team to victory against [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] at the [[World Championship of Cricket]] in a group stage fixture.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

After a lean patch of form in the Test format, Azharuddin scored his fourth Test century [[Sri Lankan cricket team in India in 1986–87|in 1986 against the visiting Sri Lankans]] in [[Green Park Stadium|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 [[Result (cricket)#Draw|draw]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Captaincy of national team===
In 1989, Azharuddin was appointed as the captain of the Indian team succeeding [[Krishnamachari Srikkanth]].<ref name="Cric1">{{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}}</ref> He led the Indian team in 47 Test matches and 174 One Day Internationals.<ref name="Cric1"/><ref name="Cric2">{{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}}</ref> He led the team to victory in 14 tests and 90 ODIs, both records until surpassed by [[Sourav Ganguly]] and [[M.S. Dhoni|MS Dhoni]] respectively.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="Express">{{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}}</ref>

During [[Indian cricket team in England in 1990|India's tour of England in 1990]], Azharuddin scored 121 in the first Test at [[Lord's]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]]''.<ref name="guardian1">{{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}}</ref> In the second Test in [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|Manchester]], Azharuddin scored his tenth Test century, making 179 [[Run (cricket)|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 [[Indian cricket team in England in 2018|2018]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Asia Cup victories and World Cups===
Azharuddin led India to victory in the [[1990–91 Asia Cup]] beating [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] in the final. He scored 54 runs in the final and was named [[Player of the Match awards (cricket)|Man of the Match]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> He then led India at the [[1992 Cricket World Cup|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Azharuddin again led the team in the [[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996 World Cup]] co-hosted by India.<ref>{{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}}</ref> India finished in third place in the group stage, qualifying for the quarter finals where they beat [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] by 39 runs to make it to the semi finals.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Later years===
During the second test of [[South African cricket team in India in 1996–97|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.<ref name="109record">{{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}}</ref><ref name="109Calcutta">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was named the [[Player of the Match awards (cricket)|man of the match]] and the series after aggregating 388 runs at an average of 77.60<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> Azharuddin scored seven centuries in ODIs with a best of 153 coming against [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]] on 9 April 1998 in [[Cuttack]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Azharuddin played the final match of his international career in an ODI against Pakistan on 3 June 2000 in the [[2000 Asia Cup]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===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.<ref name="sportskeeda.com">{{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}}</ref> he was accused of match fixing in the [[South Africa cricket match fixing|match fixing scandal]] that erupted in the aftermath of the series.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Then captain of [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] [[Hansie Cronje]] stated that Azharuddin was the one to introduce him to [[Bookmaker|bookies]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[International Cricket Council]] and [[Board of Control for Cricket in India|BCCI]] banned Azharuddin for life based on a report by [[Central Bureau of Investigation]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Post-retirement===
In 2003, a trial court upheld the lifetime ban but it was later overturned on 8 November 2012 by a [[Division bench|divisional bench]] of the [[High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad|Andhra Pradesh High Court]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> In 2019, Azhar was elected as the president of [[Hyderabad Cricket Association]].<ref name="HCA"/>

==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]].<ref name="Express"/> After Azharuddin's rumored affairs with multiple people, notably badminton player [[Jwala Gutta]], Sangeeta filed for a divorce in 2010.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> His younger son Ayazuddin died in a bike accident in 2011.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> His elder son Asaduddin is a domestic cricketer and he married Anam Mirza, the sister of [[Sania Mirza]] in 2019.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Playing style==
Azharuddin was a right handed middle order [[Batting (cricket)|batsman]] and an occasional [[Fast bowling|medium fast]] bowler. He was known for his graceful and fluid batting style.<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[John Woodcock (cricket writer)|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 [[Epsom Derby|The Derby]]."<ref>{{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}}</ref> Former cricketer and umpire [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]] stated that "Azharuddin had the best wrists in the game".<ref name="Express"/> [[Mike Atherton]] and [[Angus Fraser]] said Azharuddin's "genius was second only to [[Brian Lara]] among batsmen of their generation."<ref name="guardian1"/>

==Statistics==
{{further|List of international cricket centuries by Mohammad Azharuddin}}
Predominantly a [[Middle-order|middle order]] batsman, Azharuddin played 99 test matches for India and scored 6,215 runs at an [[Batting average (cricket)|average]] of 45.03, including 22 centuries and 21 half-centuries.<ref name="Cric">{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/mohammad-azharuddin-26329|title=Mohammad Azharuddin, profile|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref> He scored 9,378 runs in [[One Day International|One Day Internationals (ODIs)]] from 334 matches at an average of 36.92 and 156 catches as a [[Fielding (cricket)|fielder]].<ref name="Cric"/> Azharuddin made his debut with a 110 [[English cricket team in India in 1984-85#3rd Test|against England]] in [[Eden Gardens|Kolkata]] in 1984 and scored 102 [[South African cricket team in India in 1999–2000#2nd Test|against South Africa]] in [[M. Chinnaswamy Stadium|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=
https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/mohammad-azharuddin-26329|title=Hundreds on debut|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Team
!Runs
!Average
!100s
!Highest score
|-
|[[Australia national cricket team|Australia]]||780||39.00||2 || 163*
|-
|[[England cricket team|England]]||1978||58.09||6 || 182
|-
|[[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]]||1152||61.23||2 || 192
|-
|[[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]]||1089||40.47||3 || 141
|-
|[[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]]||915||41.00||4 || 163*
|-
|[[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]]||1215||55.23||5 || 199
|-
|[[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]]||539||28.37||0 || 97
|-
|[[Zimbabwe national cricket team|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 Indian general election|2009 general election]] from [[Moradabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Moradabad]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]] to become a [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|member of parliament]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> He contested the [[2014 Indian general election|2014 election]] from [[Tonk–Sawai Madhopur Lok Sabha constituency|Tonk–Sawai Madhopur]] in [[Rajasthan]] but lost to [[Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria]] of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> In 2018, he was appointed working president of [[Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> He contested the [[2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly election]] from [[Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency|Jubilee Hills]] in Hyderabad but lost to [[Maganti Gopinath]] of the [[Bharat Rashtra Samithi]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Awards==
Azharuddin was awarded the [[Arjuna Award#Arjun Awardees in Cricket|Arjuna Award]] in 1986 and India's fourth-highest civilian award [[Padma Shri]] in 1988.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was named one of five ''[[Wisden]]'''s [[Wisden Cricketers of the Year|cricketers of the year]] for 1991.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
Azharuddin has also received doctorate degree (honoris causa) from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi on 21 September 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wajihuddin |first1=Mohammed |title=Philanthropist Fazlani gets DLitt from Jamia Hamdard |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/philanthropist-fazlani-gets-dlitt-from-jamia-hamdard/articleshow/104079649.cms |access-date=1 September 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=1 October 2023}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
The [[Hindi cinema|Bollywood]] film ''[[Azhar (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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|3}}

{{commons category}}

==External links==
*{{ESPNcricinfo}}
*{{Facebook|azharflicks}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Krishnamachari Srikkanth]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Indian National Test Cricket Captains|Indian National Test Cricket Captain]]|years=1989/90 – 1996}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Sachin Tendulkar]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Indian National Test Cricket Captains|Indian National Test Cricket Captain]]|years=1997/98 – 1998/99}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Azharuddin, Mohammad}}
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