From the moment Hansie Cronje named Md Azharuddin as the person who introduced him to a bookie in his testimony before the King Commission on Thursday, the reaction in India was along predictable lines. Shock and disbelief. Why did he do it? Did he really do it? What happens now? Will he play for India again? The questions came fast and thick after the fact that Cronje had involved Azharuddin neck deep in the match fixing scandal sunk in. The reactions ranged from "I have had this feeling that the Indian players were involved for a long time" (Bishen Bedi) to "Azhar will not stoop down to that level" (Kanwaljit Singh).

The new central character was himself quick to deny the charges. "It is a pre-planned conspiracy to retaliate and counter attack by the South African authorities after the Indian government allowed the Delhi police to expose their captain in the match fixing scandal. I treat these comments with contempt. Let the South Africans come clean first and then pass comments on others. I don't know who is Mukesh Gupta. I am not a cheap cricketer to get involved in such things. I will never sell my country like Cronje has done. I am innocent and I am ready to face any longer investigation that might be initiated by the Indian Cricket Board. I will fight to clear my name. I have seen a lot of crises in my career and have always come out stronger."

But the 37-year-old former Indian captain received a checkmate of sorts when the Union Sports Minister SS Dhindsa said that Azharuddin should on his own stay out of the Indian team till he is cleared of the "serious allegations" levelled against him by Cronje. However Dhindsa was quick to add "I am not saying this is true" and replied in the negative when asked whether he would direct the BCCI to take action against Azharuddin if he did not opt out of the team.

And BCCI president AC Muthiah did not exactly rush to Azhar's defence. He said the CBI was already investigating the match fixing allegations. "I have no doubt they will get to the bottom of the matter. I am sure the CBI is already aware of the statements made by Ali Bacher and his relationship with an Indian bookie."

National selection committee chairman Chandu Borde said that Cronje's charge needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. "How can you trust Cronje who has been making contradictory statements. One moment he says one thing, the next moment another," and added that it would not be proper to hold anyone guilty unless the allegations were proved. He was also of the view that it was not proper to stop Azhar from playing merely on the basis of allegations.

Asked for his reaction, Manoj Prabhakar said "bookies normally do not give you their real names. They keep changing names to confuse you and others. Refusing to say directly whether he knew `MK', Prabhakar said "I will reveal evrything to the CBI if they ask me." Former Indian captain Bishen Bedi said "We should expedite the whole matter. The Board should now take notice of it. It's very sad that we have to rely on foreigners to enlighten us what is happening in Indian cricket. I have had this feeling (Indian players' involvement) for a long time.

The functioning of the King Commission also came in for praise by former Indian cricketers. Kirti Azad, a member of the 1983 World Cup winning squad and a Member of Parliament was of the view that the South African Commission was doing a great job. "Believe me, they have done a superb job. The only thing I can say about Hansie Cronje is that he is honest in his dishonesty. The scene is getting murkier and murkier day by day. The Board should take immediate action, whoever is involved." He however did not agree that the entire episode will affect the game. "The game is greater than a few individuals" he said.

Former Indian medium pacer Atul Wassan also praised the work of the King Commission. "The South African Commision is doing a tremendous job. We should follow their example. Whatever is happening is damaging not only for Indian cricket, but also for the game." Regarding Hansie Cronje's testimony, Wassan said "He must have thought over it, for he knows that he has to prove his allegations."

Predictably enough, Azharuddin received the most support in his home town of Hyderabad.

PR Man Singh, manager of the 1983 World Cup team, condemned Hansie Cronje's allegations. "I don't believe what Hansie Cronje says. He himself said earlier that he had lied to the South African Board about his involvement in the match-fixing. What is the guarantee that he is telling the truth now. Tomorrow he may say again that he lied. Nobody should take cognisance of what he is saying," said Man Singh. "I know Azhar since his childhood. He will not involve himself in something that brings disrepute to the country. It has become a fashion these days to blame others. See how Majid Khan backed out when asked to substantiate his accusation that the India-Pakistan and Pakistan-Bangladesh World Cup matches were fixed. I sincerely feel Azhar's name has been dragged in with ulterior motives," he said.

While Shivlal Yadav, former India off spinner and secretary of the Hyderabad Cricket Association, refused to comment on the issue, saying "let the law take its own course," Kanwaljit Singh, Hyderabad' highest wicket taker in the Ranji Trophy and a friend of Azharuddin was more forthright. "Cronje's testimony is only an accusation. Azhar won't stoop down to that level," said Kanwaljit.

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