Disgraced Azharuddin nominated for Indian cricketer of the century award

Disgraced former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin, serving a life-ban over match-fixing, has been nominated for an Indian cricketer of the century award launched by the Wisden Cricketers Almanac.

He faces competition from former opener Sunil Gavaskar and batsman Sachin Tendulkar among 16 cricketers.

Leg-spinner Anil Kumble is the other current player besides Tendulkar to be shortlisted for the award.

Azharuddin was banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2000 after it conducted an internal inquiry into a report on corruption in cricket by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Batting legend Gavaskar was the first to cross the 10,000-run mark in Tests and his world record of 34 Test centuries still stands.

Former all-rounder Kapil Dev, who captained India to triumph in the 1983 World Cup is also included in the list. Kapil Dev held the record for the maximum Test wickets (434) before Courtney Walsh overtook him.

The nominees were chosen by a 35-member panel which includes many former Test players and is headed by former West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd.

The winner will be announced at a function in London on July 23.

The others chosen are Bishan Singh Bedi, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Vijay Hazare, Vijay Merchant, Tiger Pataudi, Dilip Vengsarkar, Gundappa Viswanath as well as the late Lala Amarnath, Dinkar Balwant Deodhar, Vinoo Mankad and C.K. Nayudu.

Also read:
- Azhar, Ajay Sharma banned for life; Jadeja for 5 years
- Azhar's allegations incorrect: CBI
- The hero gone all wrong - a special
- Mohammad Azharuddin interview
- 'I guess matchfixers would be scared to approach me, given the way I am known to react' - Mohammed Azharuddin

Mail Cricket Editor