New Delhi
Former India captain and his era batsman Mohammad Azruddin now regrets why he played cricket. Why is this regret to Azharuddin, one of the most successful captains of Team India? The reason for this is the decree to remove his name from a stand named in his name at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad.
Azharuddin is calling it an insult. We are pleading with the BCCI to save the ‘honor of the game’. The High Court is full of power to start a legal battle. After all, who has given the decree to remove Azaruddin’s name from the stand? What else is there in order? What is the dispute and why? What does Azhar say? Let us understand in a sequential manner.
Ombudsman of Hyderabad Cricket Association decided
According to a recent news report by Cricbuzz, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has received an order to remove Mohammad Azruddin from the North Pavilion Stand of Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in the city. This order came on Saturday and has given it by Justice (retired) V Ishwariah. He is HCA’s Ethics Officer and Ombudsman i.e. Lokpal.
What else in order?
In his order, Justice Ishwariah has asked HCA not only to remove the name of Azaruddin from the stand but also to remove his name from the stadium tickets. He has asked the Hyderabad Cricket Association to ensure that Mohammad Azharuddin should not be named on any ticket from the future.
Azhar’s name will be removed from the tickets of matches to be held in Hyderabad
At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, 5 more matches of the current season of IPL are yet to be held. Among them, three matches and Sunrisers Hyderabad have to play as hosts. At the same time, important matches like Clalifier 1 and Eliminator are also to be held here. After the order of the Lokpal, Mohammad Azruddin will not be named on the ticket to be released for these matches.
Azhar was found guilty of arbitrary decisions while being the president of HCA
Mohammad Azharuddin has been the President of HCA. He is accused of taking decisions in himself and his own favor during his tenure. Justice Ishwariah has said in his order that this matter is completely conflict with interest. He has found the complaint against Azhar correct. In the 25 -page order, he said, ‘The General Assembly has not made any permission/amendment of the decision (stand in the name of Azhar), which further strengthens the case against defendant number 1 (Azharuddin). Defendant Number-1 has benefited himself by going out of its jurisdiction to benefit himself. This is clearly a case of conflict of interest.
Decision on whose complaint?
HCA Lokpal Justice V Ishwariah received a formal complaint from Lord’s Cricket Club. In the complaint, serious allegations were made that Azhar took decisions to benefit himself, defying the principle of fairness. The club has also requested the North Pavilion to remove Azharuddin’s name and name him in honor of VVS Laxman.
Azhar is also accused of removing the name of VVS Laxman from the North Stand of Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad and writing his name. The petition alleged that Azhar, who played 99 Tests and 334 ODIs, violated HCA rules sitting in the top council meeting as a former HCA president to pass the proposal to name the North Stand in December 2019. According to the HCA Constitution, it is necessary to get a proposal approval from the General Assembly (AGM).
What else is the allegations against Azhar?
Azhar was elected HCA President in September 2019 and his term ended in September 2023. During his controversial tenure, the Supreme Court appointed a member of Justice L Nageswara Rao to look into the union cases in February 2023. The opposition faction alleged that people associated with Azharuddin were involved in the selection scam in the age group teams. The former captain has strongly denied this charge on himself.
I sometimes regret playing cricket: Azhar
Mohammad Azharuddin has criticized the Lokpal’s decision, describing himself as innocent. He also claimed that the term of the Lokpal ended on 18 February 2025, so this order is invalid. Unhappy with the verdict, Azhar said in a conversation with Gulf News, ‘I am suffering a lot while saying this but sometimes I regret playing cricket.