To recap: before the World Cup semifinal between Sri Lanka and India in Eden Gardens, Azharuddin was on the roll riding the crest of the wave of success. Came that semi-final which India had to forfeit to Sri Lanka and that opened floodgate of troubles as it were for this stylish right handed batsman.
It was rumoured that Azharuddin has been asked to bat if he won the toss in that day/night game. But as captain he was convinced that India could put Sri Lanka in and beat them.
FUNNY GAME
It is said that cricket is a funny game and the game stayed with the Lankans steaming ahead to a convincing victory. But crowd misbehaviour stunted the proceedings and the match referee Clive Lloyd, after having done his best to restart the game awarded the game to Sri Lanka.
All Indians were hoping to see India in the World Cup final. And they would have liked to see a Pakistan-India meeting. All that went up in smoke with the Indians bowing out and then began the chorus from all quarters for the removal of Azharuddin as captain.
Before this great fall Azharuddin was the most successful Indian captain. He always led from the front and his fielding close to the bat against top batsmen where other fielders would have feared, proved that he was leading by example.
THREE CENTURIES
Azharuddin first hit the cricket firmament by rattling three centuries in a row against David Gower's Englishmen on his debut. Runs began to flow from his bat from that point and it was smooth sailing for this champion batsman.
In the wake of this success the Indian captaincy was not long in coming. When it came he adorned it with great aplomb and mastery and led the Indians to many a memorable victory.
Like many good captains, batsmen and bowlers he reached the top but found it difficult to remain there. The downward slide began with that dreaded night in Calcutta.
STRIPPED
Critics were crying for his blood. And they succeeded when he was stripped as captain with another master batsman Sachin Tendulkar taking over. However, the selectors did not dump him but slotted him as a batsman.
Azharuddin succeeded for awhile, but the poor form in the Caribbean on the recent tour prompted the selectors to say that enough was enough and while the former master was indulging in exhibition games in Bermuda he was kept out of the India squad to play in the Independence Cup.
The selectors cannot be faulted for dropping Azharuddin. With so many youngsters knocking on the door it would have been unfair to have persisted with the out of form Azharuddin.
DISAPPOINTED
It is apparent that Azharuddin must be a disappointed man. But at 33 it certainly is not the end of the road for him. If runs begin to flow from his bat in the domestic tournaments, there is no reason why he should not be brought back.
In the meantime it is nice to see the comeback of another stylish left hander Vinod Kambli. Kambli is full of potential and a treat to watch. One hopes he gets going in this tournament and shows his class!