Twitter
Advertisement

Mohammad Azharuddin's decision to contest HCA polls sparks a debate

Azharuddin's decision has sparked a debate in cricketing circles — "Whether a former player with tainted record of alleged match-fixing should be allowed back into the cricketing fold?"

Latest News
article-main
Mohammad Azharuddin
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin on Tuesday filed his nomination for the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president's post, for which the elections are scheduled on January 17.

Azharuddin's decision has sparked a debate in cricketing circles — "Whether a former player with tainted record of alleged match-fixing should be allowed back into the cricketing fold?"

Though, Azharuddin received an order in his favour by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2011 after a long legal battle but board maintained its decision of "life ban" and never officially lifted his ban. His name was not even considered for the pension that all former India players are entitled to.

However, there has been a U-turn in BCCI's policy after Anurag Thakur took over as its president. It all started just before the Kanpur Test between India and New Zealand to commemorate hosts' 500th Test when Thakur decided to honour Azharuddin along with few other former Indian captains on September 22 last year.

There was opposition even then but he chose to ignore all that on the pretext that "this is just one off occasion and we (BCCI) have no intention to go back on its earlier decision".

Technically, Azharuddin is all eligible to contest as per Justice RM Lodha panel recommendations. But that's not the only written law, like the way cricket has been played as "gentleman's game".

Justice Lodha panel has been getting queries regarding Azharuddin's eligibility.

"We have received a couple of representations of people asking for clarifications regarding this matter. But nothing as been decided as of now," said a source in the Lodha panel.

"If tomorrow Gurunath Meiyappan stands for TNCA elections, is he eligible?" asked the source. "Technically, our guidelines are merely eligibility qualification and we possibly can't put together every single thing that could happen. Cricket administration, like on-field cricket, is run more on tradition and values and not simply on black-and-white rules," the source added.

In October 2014, BCCI served a notice to its Delhi unit (DDCA) for inviting Azharuddin to the Ferozeshah Kotla during a Ranji Trophy match. DDCA vice-president and former India opening batsman Chetan Chauhan's received a strongly-worded letter after Azharuddin was spotted sitting outside the boundary line chatting to Vidarbha players, which match referee of the day took cognisance of.

"Azhar has never been exonerated by BCCI," replies board's former official, who has since been termed ineligible by SC ruling.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement