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Mohammad Azharuddin debate

prashanth: pdrona@yahoo.com: I thinh azhar should be selected for the tour. He is a great batsman and fielder.There are lean patches in everyones career. Azhar at his best is the best of all

Sridhar Gangireddy: sgangire@hotmail.com: Yes, he should be given one last chance and if he does not perform he should be dropped.

Sunil Menon: sunil.menon@unisys.com: In think Harsha is right. The committee should give one last chance and see if Azhar stands upto expectations

Vinod Swarnapuri: Vinod.Swarnapuri@gecapital.com: I think that Azzar should be in the side. You should not judge him only from the lastest matches. Think of the matches he won for us. Think of his wonderful feilding.

Sudhir Padmanabhan: sudhir_p@go.com: It has to be definitely 'yay' as he is still very much agile and acrobatic. As regarding the average runs in the last 6 months there is no reflection of his true potential but he is a fighter to the core and am very optimistic that he will back with a bang once again in the coming months for sure.

Nagaraj: nagarajgb@hotmail.com: I think Azhar should be retained as a player if not captain. His statistics are too good for him to be dropped. Having said that i would say hereafter it ought to be series by series since by just keeping him in the team for 3-4 seasons would mean disaster to the young and talented.

Avanish Mishra: mishra@pfizer.com: I think Harsha has put all the facts of the case in a very objective way. Of course, this has been combined with some personal knowledge of Azhar. Like in a mgmt case, you do a SWOT of Azhar, the areas not covered by Harsha are the environmental factors, we have seen Azhar specific information, what we haven't seen is the environment that his case has to be evaluated against (the topic is his selection for the upcoming team and not retirement), how will he fare on the upcoming pitches and against the attack in the next few months (based on historical data), also, do we have another player who can actually replace (competitive landscape) Azhar. If there is a batsman who can score more runs than Azhar to make up for his catches and runs saved (as an excellent fielder that he is) and is a future investement, then we should definitely put that in the hopper when making a decision. If I had to guess on the outcome of Aug 6 selection, I would bet that our selectors (who often demonstrate lack of objectivity and business sense) will drop Azhar without serious consideration. But for the game of cricket, I hope Azhar comes out of this patch and continues to play his original game which has been a sheer delight to watch.

Sorab: sorab_dalal@dfci.harvard.edu: Yes he should be in the side on the basis of his batting Sorab

imran: imran_khan98@yahoo.com: I think Azhar should play some more time as he has lots of experiance.

Madhu: madhu@cs.unt.edu: It has been favourite passtime for all the Indian cricket lovers for a long time, passing a judgement and then changing it as quickly as you change your shirt. It was known fact that Azharuddin was by no means a captaincy material. Yet, strange are the ways of Indian selectors, that he was in the hot seat. Time and again he was made the whipping boy for the failures of Indian team, inspite of knowing that he cannot lead a team. It is time India adopt the Australian method of having a captain who can lead the team, motivate them to what they are capable of. The Indian selectors argument of having the best player lead the team has failed them not once but many times. I therefore feel that people have been unduly harsh on Azzu for what was not in his hands. Now speaking of Azzu the batsman, I think anyone would be a fool, to sideline him. I still think he still has a good couple of years of cricket left in him and India definitely needs an experienced player among its ranks, when they tour DOWN UNDER. People tend to be suddenly hit by amnesia after a couple of failures, when it comes to their cricket players. No longer do they remember the swashbuckling tons the man made, the elegant flicks, the silken drives on the on side. It would be a pity to see the highest run-getter in ODIs being so uncermoniously dumped. Rare are such players, who have graced the game with thier elegance. I would conclude by saying that, no one knows better that the person himself, when he is no longer fit for the job. When Azzu, claims that he is fit, then he damn well is. My tribute to one of the few gentlemen, in the game which calls itself a gentlemen's game.

Paul Kagoo: paulkagoo@hotmail.com: Yay

Rajesh: rkgadala@hotmail.com: Azhar still has some game left in him. He must be in the team for the upcoming events. Sachin does not have the experience as a Captain and he needs Azhar's guidance for some time. Burdening Sachin is very dangerous to the Indian Team.

Haresh: haresh.totlani@span.ch: I think Azhar should continue playing. His morale now is low.He needs to be charged up. He should retire as a Hero and not unceremonously like this

sachin: sachintu@hotmail.com: I think he should play this series with aus,sl,ind.He Deserves to be given a chance as all what has happened in the past is past and he very well knows that if he does'nt perform well now,he will lose all his credentials ,his fans and most importantly he will lose to himself. good luck,Azar.

Shahzad Nathani: nathani@iname.com: Yes ! Azhar does have a couple of years of good cricket left in him and he does deserve one more chance.

Sudheer Tumuluru: tsudheer@writeme.com: Yes. Azhar should be kept for atleast another series to see if he can come back to form.

Kiran: kiranveer@hotmail.com: I think Azzu Bhai should be in the team. His experience will certainly be handy,and he's a great natsman (maybe going thru' a bad phase right now, but he'll come out of it as he has done so many times before). Azhar ji! Please concentrate a little more on your batting now and be a model senior player. Your services to the team are very much essential now, more than ever before. On that the pressure of captaincy is off, I hope you can do a lot better talking with your bat. All the Best.

Rajesh Goswami: rajesh_goswami@candle.com: Yay

amit k dasgupta: amit_dasgupta@rediffmail.com: Azaruddin is still one of the best batsman in the world. He not only is the best batman but also the best fielder as far as the Indian team is concerned. He should be a part of the Indian team until he decides to quit. Best of luck Azaruddin...You are the man. regards Amit

shoi : shoilesh@hotmail.com: Azhar, You should not give up yet. You can contribute a great deal to the Indian cricket. Best of Luck !!! - shoi

Raman: vardharaj@yahoo.com: Is he once again stuck in an up-down cycle or is it just downhill from here forever? Let’s trust his instincts on this, after all he’s no rookie player. The painful decision of retirement, if taken at all, should be his; it shouldn’t be imposed on him. Let’s give our greatest captain ever the dignity of retiring gracefully at a time of his choosing and on his terms, instead of booting him out. We owe it to him. Let’s also remember that future captains of India are watching how we treat our good and the great. Should it be shabby, many of them may never volunteer for a thankless job when we need them the most.

al: al_morwale@hotmail.com: The statistics provided don't reveal the fact that the major cricketing playing teams captains have better record than Azharuddin. He was never ever comfortable against fast bowling and always did well in England and Indian subcontinent against mediocre medium pace bowling.My opinion as regards Azhar hardly matters because the ultimate decesion rest on the corporates like Pepsi which sponsor major tournaments and would they like their icon out of the team? From where will the BCCI get money then ? It cannot upset these corporate giants!So should Azhar be retained in the team could be answered only by Pepsi and BCCI and not like common passionate fools like us!!

Vijay: allamv@hotmail.com: He should be selected in the team,no matter with his recent performances.

srinidhi: srinidhi.b@ps.ge.com: Azhar, The Captain, was "unmotivational" Azhar, The Person, was "submissive" But Azhar, The Batsman, can never die!!! His legend will live forever!

Alkesh: mrgq1234@hotmail.com: I think harsha is right...he shouldnt be dropped, not yet...b/c knowing him, he will probably come up with runs pretty soon...i have always liked Azza as a player...hopefully he will shine again..his captaincy is something that i havent been a fan of... Go AZZA

srikanth: srikee@rocketmail.com: Indian team needs the services of Azhar simply because he's very experienced and he's stll capable of turning the matches in indians favour.

Sudarshan Setlur: sudarshan_setlur@yahoo.com: There is no doubt that Azhar has been a big asset to the Indian team over the years. As a captain he was the winningest, but he did captain India in a lot of matches. He is clearly on the downhill. Is his game still good enough for a place in the team? Before we answer this question we also have to remember that fresh talent needs nurturing at the international level. We have seen too many succeed brilliantly in domestic cricket and fail in the limited number of times they were given exposure at the international level. Some great talents, like Robin Singh, came in too late. We need fresh blood in the team even if it comes at the expense of a slightly better much older player. That is planning for the future. This is long-term thinking. As far as experience goes I think we have good thinkers like Kumble and Jadeja to back up Sachin. I think Azhar should realize this make way for someone else. The sun is still setting Azhar, walk into it like a champion that you are.

mukund: mukund@animalhouse.com: Azhar has been one of the best batsmen India has produced in the last 2 decades. As a captain too he has had his days of glory. But the question remains as to whether to let him stay on in the team or to force him to retire? Based on the current composition of the team it would be prudent to see that Tendulkar is having the added burden of captaincy, dravid has to prove himself as a match winner in his own right and jadeja has to establish himself as a test batsman. With such a fickle batting line-up it would be wise to give Azhar a chance and freed from the responsibilities and brickbats of captaincy he could well return to form. Age is not a criterion here as there are players like Allan border who played till 40 . It is yay but with a question mark .

Raj: im_boy24@yahoo.com: I think Azhar should be given a chance. He is still a great batsmen. Still better then lots of people who survived in India team just because of there 'past reputition'. And if Kapil 'being a bowler and considering that bowlers have tough time then batsmen was given that long to complete his recored I think Azhar is still a great batsmen and still has plenty to come up with and is still averaging great. We sure do want to hold the record for a country having batsmen with 10,000 runs in tests as well as ODIs and hey, he can do it.

Siddharth Dasgupta: sdg@wag.caltech.edu: Re: To Azhar or Not toAzhar I think the answer should be a NO. As a captain he has been uncommunicative, unable to lead from the front. As a player, he has been even less so. It is time to give the current captain and the team a free hand at playing upto their potential, without having to worry about the dynamics of Azhar's moodiness. If he was a good senior, a la Ravi Shastri or Sanjay Manjrekar, then having him on the team for his experience would have been worth it, even if he did not come good with his bat. But he is of little value to the youngsters. I wish he had a little more grace to retire when he was on the top. And I could not disagree more with Harsha Bhogle's jaundiced analysis of his sproting hero. Most top athletes, when theypursue a professional career, do so knowing that retirement comes much earlier than say a career in academics, or even sports journalism. Hence it is not a big burden to ask a man of 36 to consider whether the church bells have tolled for him or not. This year has seen Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and John Elway hang their boots. What's so special about Azhar in comparison to these other athletes? Less money? He has made enough to dress stylishly in Armani suits all the time. He has enooguh to retire comfortably, and if ever his nature changes, give something back to the game by teaching youngsters.

Bharat: bharat.daga@sun.com: I think he should be dropped.

JITENDRA ALLU: ajithu77@hotmail.com: ITS A BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!

venkat subramanian: venkat_Sub@hotmail.com: Please hit a couple of century's and retire with grace. Rather then being kicked out of the team. This would ensure that you would be remembered as a good player rather than a pile on.

Shyam: Shyamgadam@yahoo.com: nay!!!!

Arindam: arindc@hotmail.com: I would give anything to see one last fiery innings from Azhar. C'mon Azza, you have to do it before you finally leave. The selectors simply cant drop Azza. Azza has to decide.

sanjay: sanjay105@yahoo.com: Its not what Azhar the great batsman can deliver in Sri Lanka or S'pore but what can he contribute in Australia. If he is expected to be dropped around that time for sure then its better we give chance to some other player who is expected to be there for a longer time , just what we did to Sidhu, we shud be consistent Also if at all he be dropped, he shud be replaced with a real contender(read young player) and not players like Kambli who have been given more chances just for the heck of it. So its NAY for Azhar. cheers sanjay

Gothca!: shershah@hotmail.com: Azhar is a touch player and a slight drop in form gor him means that he can't score freely. Nevertheless I would still prefer an out of form Azhar, in the hope that he will come up with one stroke that only he can play......and he's never let me down. He's still the best at #4, #5 and he needs to continue...unitl HE decides to call it quits!

Yogesh Patel: Novayog@aol.com: It's time for selectors to pick younger guys to groom them for 2003 World Cup. Azar can still play but he will not be there for 2003 and this 4 years we should mould the team into a fit unit for Word Cup as that championship is the ultimate goal for Indian Cricket team. Azar is a classic batsman but he should now pave the way for his followers. We also start looking for a wicket keeper to follow Mongia. Mongia is still the best we got but time has come to groom someone to take over for the future. Winning few ODI series is not important but how you use these ODI series to build the ultimate team for 2003 is the most important task. Good Luck India and adios amigo Azar for a great service to our country.

Sekahr: svcsekhar@hotmail.com: Let him be in the side for some more time

Pranay: pmehta@bigfoot.com: Azhar is the most experienced and skilled batsman on Indian side, who has the ability to rise to the occasion and provide both support, guidance and confidence to the younger guys in the team. I my opinion he should continue to be in Indian team atleast for the next couple of years.

nvn: natarajnv@hotmail.com: If Azhar's subcontinent and outside statistics are taken, we can see that he can't bat when it is swinging or on hard tracks. So if he is chosen for coming matches, he might do well, only to fail badly in Australia.

Uday: uday@psu.edu: Azhar has everything required to continue his brilliance and thus must, I repeat, MUST, be retained in the Indian team.

A. Sengupta: anisen@vsnl.com: Re: Azhar Points that need to be kept in mind - 1. Do we have a player who can if given a chance prove himself to be rock solid in technique and temperament to come in at no. 2 or 3 in Tests? 2. In the one days, on current form Azhar does not merit a place in the squad.

K: : Let him make his own mind up.

vinnakota: vinnakota@hotmail.com: I think you are right harsha. It's yay.

Mahadev: mahadevk@mailcity.com: The selectors should select Azar for the forth coming triagular series. I am sure, he will do better in this tournament and more over he is physically fit and can play for the country for another 4-5 years.

shabnam: sshabnam@hotmail.com: yep, i still feel Azhar should play and specially now he wouldnt have the burden of captianship

Vineet: vineet@drexel.edu: I think Azhar is a great player and there are always greater expectations from him. I love and admire his style of batting and his Mr. Cool attitude. Like you mentioned his figures are outstanding and he has been a continuous source of inspiration for younger players. But of late, one cannot help but feel that Azhar has lost interest in the game. I think his performance in the world cup was to put it plainly unheroic, even though his batting helped in saving the day against Pakistan. I am in favor of giving him another chance but would keep him out of crucial matches unless he shows some form of improvement in the initial matches. If he is unable to perform in this series, maybe its time to give him a farewell fit for hero, for he deserves nothing less.

Arvind Kumar: arvind.kumar@rocketmail.com: Just like you gave DrawMaster and will give Tendulkar the messages, can you kindly give this to Azharudin? Dear Azhar, Please retire. An entire nation will be thankful to you for it. You will have done an immense service to the nation by this gesture. As Harsha Bhogle pointed out, your career has been in cycles. Curiously, these cycles are identical with the cycles where one of pitch condition or bowling attack favoured the batsmen! Is that a coincidence. Anyway, the time has come. Only DrawMaster among the cricketers retired gracefully. Kapil Dev of course played for records. Indian Tennis greats are the only ones who bow out gracefully. You would have earned immense respect by quitting right now and joining the illustrous company of DrawMaster who lavishly praises you on STAR TV and who is a great fan of yours! -Arvind

Venu: venu_madhav@taylormade-golf.com: yay,physically azhar is one of the fittest if not the fittest. But mentally he may not seem ready although nobody can blame him for behaving as he is for the crap he had to take from the media. But then that too is part and parcel of the captainship, I still think we could use his experience and his slick batting skills.

Sumit: sumtinder@yahoo.com: Nay, Nay, Nay...

Yusuf: yusuf_k@rediffmail.com: yay

Sanjeev: khushu@m-net.arbornet.org: The statistics are fine!! But on how many occassions has he played a Captains Knock, like single handedlly winning India a ODI or a Test. So even if his statistics indicate he is a good batsman, but I think he needs to be shown the Door.

Luv Parikh: luv_d_parikh@prusec.com: The selectors should drop him for the time being because: (i) he 'expects' to be fit next week and the team is being selected this week - either you are fit when the team is selected or you are not; (ii) he has been in awful form and has just undergone a surgery, a period away from the game - he needs to get into the nets and play some domestic cricket and prove once again that he is up to the task (as is the case with any cricketer who loses form). That's all I have to say. Luv Parikh

Sairam V: grashley@rocketmail.com: BOy! he should be there. Let's see his performance before taking him to Australia

Saibaba Renukunta: saibaba_r@hotmail.com: yay

hardeep: hsorphic@home: It is Yay for Azhar. He will come out of the slump. Lets select him for the tours

Sainath: abcsai@hotmail.com: Azhar deserves to be in the team.

N.DINESH: DINESHKUTTY@HOTMAIL.COM: I feel that azhar should be given some more time b'fore h\ e's forced to quit.he's a tremendously talented player and perhaps the fittest in the indian lot.he could come back with a lot of vengence -- which he did when he was reduced to a mere player in the series about south africa.the most admiring thing about this man is that he is unaffected by the numerous failiures as well as the victories that came to him.he might have been dissapointing in the recent series ,but his career statistics are unbelievable.he should definitely be in the team for the series against the aussies, bcos he could be great help to sachin and the other guys.who knows -- azhar could spring up a surprise -- not very enjoyable to his critics as usual.i wish him the very best for the sake of indian cricket. dinesh......

vikram: vkmmm@hotmail.com: Interested in knowing all this?

Harendra Kumar: hkumar@manpower.com.au: When he lost the captaincy last time, he turned out as good batsman. I beleive he should be in team as batsman. I am sure he will comout good.

Vinodh: vinodh@globe.com.my: Strip him of the captaincy , I do mot find anything wrong in that , but deprieve him of a place in the national side , that could be one of the cruel things the selectors could do to a great palyer.

Mohan: pkmohan@hotmail.com: No doubt! He should be given a chance. I feel he'll definitely be a plus to the Indian batting lineup. You cannot write off a player who has 16 years experience, by looking at a few months of form.

Kishore: knarasim@acuson.com: I beleive, Azhar should not be taken into the Indian side. If he is not a captain, he has no work to be in the team. There are lot of young players desparately waiting to get a chance and show their performances.Its good if Azhar is dropped and make the way for the youngsters. Keeping fit is not only the criterion for being in the team.

Ajay: cheakr@nus.edu.sg: Nay. Its time to move on. Lets give opportunity to a young person who can develop into another Azhar.

Shrikesh K: shrikesh_k@usa.net: The selectors did a commendable job choosing for Sachin as captian , But, for Azzu , I think he should be selected. Out of all world cup matches, the one against Pakistan showed his experience, and what he can give to the team other than batting. His experience is invaluable, and sachin needs his support now to get back his confidence, wish them all good luck and especially for Azzu... get some runs....

Santosh Ravindran: rsantu@yahoo.com: It is Yes from me. Azhar should be in the team. Not because of his splendid track record, but for the driving force in his mind to play more as proven always in such times.

Ritesh Gupta: sethugupta@hotmail.com: Yes,He still can play as a team member if he starts playing his classy shots again and try to get singles instead of hitting hard.He need somebody in the field who can keep his head cool after he hit the shots for 4/6. Best of Luck Azhar for coming series. Play innings like 61 balls 100 runs with singles-doubles and not 4-6. Ritesh

aziz: azeus@hotmail.com: Azhar has played a long and glorious career for India and he should be given a chance to prove himself. Should he fail now then its the axe, if he is not given a chance as a player then it is a grat disservice ti Indian cticket and insult to a great and exciting player. Best Wishes - Azhar !!!

Om Barlinge: olinge@hotmail.com: I think Azhar should be allowed to continue.

Uma Shankar: cvumashankar@hotmail.com: Azharuddin must be in the playing X1. He should not be dropped. The reason is simple just look at his carrer graph and you will know that he is knwon for comebacks and that too terrific comebacks. I still remember the 1993 century at Eden versus England. So Please for the beauty of cricket let Azhar play. Uma

Ashish: adharnidharka@hotmail.com: Hey Azhar.. Dont worry... U will be in the team.... & ofcourse demolishing the other teams in the seansons to come... BEST OD LUCK BUDDY

kuna: dravid@hotmail.com: Azhar has been India wonder boy since the era of Vishy and Gavaskar. One can never forget the joy his batting has brought to the hearts of the Indians. Of course today we have many other good batsman like Tendulkar, Dravid and Gangully, but it was Azharuddin batting which which held India up in the eighties. He has been India's most successful captain and for that alone the selectors should let him play a least till the NZ Test series to see how he performs. Lets Azharuddin go with honour, lets no blame him for his failures, lets praise him for all the wonderful he has done for Indian cricket! Azharuddin is GREAT!

Deepak Gupta: dpak_gupta@hotmail.com: Azhar is one of the greatest batsman this world has seen. There are two kinds of great players, one who like to leave the game when they are at their peak, their best, and know they can't get any better than what they have already achieved. and there are players who for their own reasons, want to continue playing till they at times they are forced to leave ( not literally, but given enoough indications by the selecting board). In this retrospect, I think we should realize, and hopefully, so does the board, that does Azhar has the potential to improve from his better days, can he produce better show, than he already has, if not, then we should concentrate on a new comer, fresh face. Somebody who needs more time to be nurturchered in the international arena, so that that young players can truly explore their true potential. By sending some young guy (below 23 or 24), to Sri Lanka and Singapore, relatively slow Sub continent pitch, it will give him an opportunity to first experience what it feels to take the pressure facing some of the best bowlers in the world, in a different league from domestic scene. Also will give them enough self confidence so that they can face the more bouncy pitches of Australia and South Africa. This will give them a little more time to modify their techniques for juicy bouncy pitches. I think we should start looking at the future, not sit down and feel happy about the past...

Binu: binur@fsl.fujitsu.com.sg: No. No statistics pleas. I can also make Azhar's statistics as a support to any bloody conclusions. If there are better players who can perform consistently, there is no place for Azhar in the team. You cannot ignore better players to show your respect towards an old man. Azhar served for the country and now people better thatn him are ready for that, so give them way. I wish all the best to Azhar and good bye..

Ramesh Kapoor: meshmen@aol.com: I think Azhar has played his cricket at International level and should retire, honorably! If not, he should not be selected, for he has played his part for the Country. Let us get a young player who will probably emulate the good in Azhar. But if Azhar has to be in a touring party, make him a Manager or assign him the coaching! I think Anshuman Gaekwad too has passed his age, to actively participate in coaching! All he can give is tips, and I am sure so can Azhar.

javi: javi@gintic.gov.sg: I think Azhar must be given an another chance to prove his ability..We can not judge an experienced person like him from just few matches and noting that those matches are world cup matches nerve wrecking. Also just think yourself, how media encouraged him. Every day or other they always criticised Azhar which discouraged him. i agree Jadeja is doing good job and shines some times but not always There should be some experienced person in the team for smooth transition. By given him a chance he will do it if he can able to stick to his words otherwise ofcourse he will retire voluntarily..

PK: sathiraj@hotmail.com: I seriously think that Azhar should be in the team.

Mahendran: mahendran1@hotmail.com: Why Azhar? To prepare the team for 2033 World Cup? Why not KAMBLI?

Shankar: vidya_shankar_j@yahoo.com: Its a definite yes Harsha. Sure he may not be in the best of the batting form right now. I'm sure he'll try his best to retire on a good platform. That's the least we can do to one of the great master batsman. Yehi hai right choice

ranjit: ranjit23@hotmail.com: Hey azhar deserves a place,give him a chance,he can do wonders,he comes best when he is down,so i still think he should be in the team.

Nikkam: nikkam@hotmail.com: Azza needs another chance.

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