Recognise the talent in you, Mohammad Azharuddin tells youngsters

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has said to youngsters that there was no point in pursuing a sport if one did not have the interest.

Speaking at the prize distribution of the 25th LIC Kalpesh Koli Memorial Cricket Tournament organised by New Hind Sporting Club in Matunga on Sunday, the 52-year-old Azhar said: “All you boys have talent in you. You have to recognise the talent. When you don't have the skill, there is no point in going into the game. If you don't have the technique, I say 'No'. You will only be whiling away your time.”

While congratulating Kandivli Centre for winning the two-day final the concluded on Sunday, Azharuddin also complimented the runners-up Malad Centre. “Without you playing in the final, Kandivli Centre would not have won the final. Without you putting up a fight, it would not have been easy for the winners. Take it that positive way,” Azhar told Malad Centre, who lost out on the first innings by just five runs.

Azhar also stressed on the importance of studies. “Studies have become secondary today. In my younger days, my grandfather said that I must study as well. In my days, we had only the Under-19, Under-22 and Under-25 tournaments. If lucky enough to be selected, we would play in those tournaments,” said Azharuddin, who played in 99 Tests and 334 ODIs from 1984 to 2000.

He told the youngsters that he always worked hard when he was young and “the results came fast”. “I really enjoyed playing for India, Hyderabad, the English county teams. Whatever teams I played, I enjoyed my cricket. I always worked hard and the results came fast,” he said.

Known for his wristy strokes and elegance, Azhar is the only player in Test history to score a century in each of his first three Tests. The right-handed batsman achieved this feat against England in India in 1984-85.

The Kalpesh Koli tournament has been a feeder tournament for the Mumbai Cricket Association with the juniors going on to represent Mumbai and India. Among those who have played in this tournament are Rohit Sharma, Aditya Tare among others.

Mumbai Ranji captain Tare was felicitated along with his Ranji team-mates Shardul Thakur, Harmeet Singh, Abhishey Nayar and Siddesh Lad on the occasion by the organisers for the progress in their cricketing careers.

Spotting Tare in the front row, Azharuddin said: “I have not seen your game but have read about you in newspapers. Am sure those reports are good and that is enough. Leading Mumbai is not easy. It is a tough job but a very glamorous job as well.”

Giving the youngsters advice, the Hyderabadi said: “Don't get swayed by your performances. If you want to play for India, you have to be consistent. Consistency is the key.”

Azhar said the he followed today's cricket action off and on. “But not too much,” he said. “Whenever I get an opportunity, I watch because any channel you put, there is a lot of cricket. And I really don't know which one to watch and which one not to watch. Whatever little chance I get, I definitely watch.”

Azharuddin has given his nod for his biopic that would be released next year. Emraan Hashmi would play the role of Azharuddin and is being coached personally by the former India player personally. “He is not going to play professional. He has done a very good job. He has worked hard. He is ready to play Celebrity Cricket League next year,” Azharuddin said about his coaching experience with Hashmi.

Also present on the occasion were Mumbai Cricket Association office bearers and managing committee members besides Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty.

Shetty said that cricket has always been his first love. “I had no other dream but to play cricket. Never dreamt that I would be an actor,” he said.

Shetty appealed to the youngsters to take up some sport, even if it was martial arts, that he is an exponent of. “Martial arts gave me my life as an actor,” he said.

Mumbai Cricket Association vice-president Ravi Savant lauded New Hind Sporting Club for conducting the tournament for the 25th successive year from 1991. “Twenty five years is not a small journey. Under-16 is an important age-group that we are looking at,” Savant said.

For the record, Kandivli Centre won the final on the basis of their five-run first innings lead against Malad Centre in the two-day final.

Brief scores: Kandivli Centre 111 in 51.4 overs (S Parkar 31, T Rindhe 41; A Ankolekar 3/22) & 185/5 in 87.1 overs (S Parkar 48, T Rindhe 35, O Ghule 73, S Singh 26*;  A Ankolekar 3/36, V Solanki 2/18) bt Malad Centre 106 in 44.3 overs (D Borkar 27; O Ghule 4/29, S Singh 4/23, M Doshi 2/20) on first innings