Azharuddin begins his career as politician

Azharuddin will bat for sports and health as he begins his career's second innings as a politician

Azharuddin will bat for sports and health as he begins his career's second innings as a politician

In early 1999, Mohammed Azharuddin was getting set to lead India for the third time in World Cup cricket a significant achievement for a captain.

FRESH GUARD: Former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin

Ten years later, his life takes another significant turn when he announces his entry into politics the Congress to be precise. He was never the media's favourite when it came to sound bytes. He would treat press conferences like a chore and his opinions were strictly restricted to cricket. Yesterday, Azhar (46) revealed that he has always been an admirer of the Congress and his concern for the public in general.

MiD DAY caught up with him last night for a brief chat.
Excerpts:

You have always been a very shy person. Are you sure you are cut out for politics?
I am still shy, but I know what to talk at the right time. I have always followed politics.

What prompted you to join the Congress?
I have always been a great admirer of Mr Rajiv Gandhi. When I scored three Test hundreds in a row (against England in 1984-85), he was the first person to call me. He congratulated me and said, 'keep up the good work. I am behind you. If there is anything you need, please let me know.' I have always been close to the Congress because I have a lot of friends there.

Apart from your celeb quotient, are Muslim votes what the Congress is aiming at?
I really don't know. We have to work in the party in a united fashion. We have to see where we go from here. The high command will take the call. I am not the captain so I can't say much.

What are the three areas you would take up as priority?
I want to do something for sports, education and health. These are the most important areas.
I will try and help the common people of India.

What are your sporting concerns?
I am definitely concerned about sports not cricket but other disciplines. There is so much of talent but the right kind of people don't go and play in the right tournaments.

And health?
You see in a lot of hospitals that it is very difficult for a common man to get things done. You have to ensure the person who is ill gets looked after and treated first and then other things come into play. We have to have insurance systems in place. Like in America where human life is more important than anything else. That would be the best thing anyone could do. If you have health and education you can do whatever you want in life. When you don't have this, things can go out of hand.

Do you think the BCCI ban and match-fixing claims will go against you?
No, because I have filed a case against the BCCI. There are no cases on me. Everybody knows what I have done and achieved in 17 years of playing cricket. My statistics will prove that whatever they are saying is wrong.