Mohammad Azharuddin, often known simply as Azhar, is a former Indian cricketer and politician, born on February 8, 1963, in Hyderabad, India. He was one of India’s most successful cricket captains during the 1990s.

Azharuddin was born into a middle-class family in Hyderabad. His talent for cricket was evident early on, and he made his international debut for India in Test cricket against England in 1984. He soon established himself as one of the most stylish and elegant batsmen in the world, known for his wristy strokes and superb fielding skills.

Azharuddin was appointed captain of the Indian cricket team in 1989. Under his captaincy, India achieved notable successes, including a historic series win in England in 1993. He also led India to the finals of the 2000 ICC KnockOut tournament and the 1996 Cricket World Cup.

Azharuddin’s cricket career was marred by controversies, most notably the match-fixing scandal in 2000. He was accused of being involved in match-fixing along with other cricketers. As a result, he was banned from cricket for life by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2000. However, in 2012, the Andhra Pradesh High Court lifted the ban, declaring it unsustainable.

After his cricket career, Azharuddin entered politics. He joined the Indian National Congress party and was elected as a Member of Parliament from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, in 2009. He later contested and won the Lok Sabha elections from the Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency in Rajasthan in 2019.

Azharuddin was married to Naureen, and the couple had two sons, Asad and Ayaz. However, their marriage ended in divorce. He later married Bollywood actress Sangeeta Bijlani.

Despite the controversies that surrounded his career, Azharuddin is remembered as one of India’s most stylish batsmen and effective captains. He scored over 15,000 runs in international cricket, including 22 centuries in Test matches. His elegant style and ability to dominate the bowlers made him a cricketing icon in India during his prime.

Azharuddin’s life and career have been the subject of a Bollywood movie titled “Azhar,” which was released in 2016, showcasing the highs and lows of his journey as a cricketer and captain.