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Mohammad Azharuddin debate

kuldeep sharma: k_m_sharma@yahoo.com: Azhar is not a Sachin, Lara or Jaysuriya. He cant score six on the last ball, he cant reach get the asking rate of 10 or more, but he was a good batsman, and he is. Surely we should give him a chance to prove himself that as batsman he is not finished yet. I never liked him as a captain, but for middle overs (from 20 to 40) as a supporting batsman, he can play a good role. kuldeep.

Vishy: jay_vishy@hotmail.com: YAY, a big YAY, for a master batsman. He should be given the honour of choosing his retirement, after all the great service he has given us all these years.

vikram prabhakar: vikram@cbis.ece.drexel.edu: yay

Shilpa Srikanth: : I feel azza should be given one more chance.

Anuradha: vanu@hotmail.com: A captain should be able to plan a game, decide upon a strategy. He is also supposed to be responsible and motivate others to play well. It is not that his perfection will entitle him to point a finger at others but, he is not even in a position to motivate others. One should pass judgement not only based upon his game but also based upon his planning of the game. Considereing these aspects, I think that he should be dismissed from captaincy.

Uday: udaykumar@hotmail.com: I personally think Azhar should bow out with grace having served this many years rather than being given the boot if that's the way he wants it. Its time we in India realize that there is a set time for everything and stop clinging to something at the expense of the whole. It goes to some of the politicians who are just now ready to hand over to the younger crowd.

rishi sharma: rishi_sharma@hotmail.com: Yes

Radhika Mishra: radhikamishra@hotmail.com: Azhar has been one of brightest stars in the history of Indian Cricket. Those crisp wristy strokes are a sight to behold and he is no doubt on of the best Cricketers of the World. He should definately not be dropped and should be given the chance to decide about his future on his own. So, until he decides to retire we should stick by him.....if nothing, for the absolute joy his masterful strokeful play and his alert fielding have brought to the Criket Crazy Nation. So, this is for Azza wishing him all the very best in Life in and after Criket.

: : Should be in the team

srisundar: sss@asu.edu: mark it bold and underlined - YAY. class and experience oozes out of him.removing him from captancy is by itself a mistake,removing him from the team is a blunder TO ERR IS HUMAN-BUT WE R NOT SO DIVINE AS TO KEEP FORGIVING THE SELECTORS FOR THEIR REPETITIVE ERRING

Hemant: hjaswal@mediametrix.com: Yay, I think Azhar has the stuff to last for another year or two.A fantastic fielder and a responsible batsman who plays according to situation in the game is important when we have quite a few ambitious batsmen around.Still a hare between the wickets

Ashok: apareek@hotmail.com: To drop Azhar from the team will be an insult to a player who servered the cricket of the country for such a long time and always led from the front. He deserves a chance and that should be given to him where he say good bye to the career gracefully. I wish him a good luck.

Jay: jaykumarv@hotmail.om: It is definitely a Yay!! Azhar still has a couple of years ahead of him. There is no doubting that. Let him play his natural game, and watch him work his magic once again. He has done it on so many occasions I am sure he will do it again. And again. Good luck Azzu miya!!

Monish: monishroy@hotmail.com: nay A younger one should be given a chance like Kurasia.

parthasarathi: sarathi1@yahoo.com: As he is saying I believe he still has some cricket left in him. So, He should be selected to next tour.

Sathya: sathya_n@hotmail.com: As far my opinion the selectors has to select Azhar for the coming series based on his past records. Because nobody wants to retire with a bad name. Hope he will show his experience using his bat. N Sathya

Sunil Dhar: sunildhar@hotmail.com: Its high time Azhar hung up his boots himself rather than waiting to be dropped. Since he's not doing it on his own, the selectors should do the dirty job. I have mentioned in your earlier forums too that Azhar 'was' a brilliant player, but is a pale shadow of himself now. We all have loved him in the past and would like to see him quit the game with his head held high rather than hung down. Whatever happens in the near future, good luck to him.

Vikram Kaul: vikram_kaul@hotmail.com: Yes Azhar should still be in the team man. Tell me who can replace himOK he is going through some rogh times but he is still not out. Why do we forget so many Cups that India won under Azhar. Azhar has got class and he becomes a little bit active he can smash any bowker. so its yes for Azhar.We have atripped of captaincy lets give him yet another chance as a batsman. I think this man deserves it.

Ajoy Krishnamoorthy: ajoyk@usa.net: i strongly feel that azhar shud be reatined in the indian team. we need his expereience for some more time. My best wishes for azhar to get fit soon. thanks.

Ramarao V Chintaluri: chintaluri@hotmail.com: NAY

Hemant: khannah@epenergy.com: I was of the opinion that he should be dropped, but reading your article, I have changed my mind but it is still an emotional change. I think he should be judged by the next few matches he plays. If he can raise his performance keep him or chuck him....

Karthik: k_aru@hotmail.com: Azhar the batsman is not done just as yet. I may be a bit imaginitive in expecting him to make ripples in the near future.. but I do believe he will leave the scene just the way he entered it. Sit back and expect to enjoy a some sort of a cameo a phase from the one of the most graceful batsmen India has ever produced.. on his way out !!! I am a dreamer and a believer.

subbu: subbup73@yahoo.com: It is a NAY. Though i come from HYderabad & am a great fan of Azhar bhai, i think it is time he hung up his boots. There are a lot of young player sin teh queue & teh team definitely requires soem infusion fo fresh blood. Azhaur had his glory days & i think now is the right time for him to gracefully ride into the sunset.

Shashank Bhushan: shashankbhushan@usa.net: I surely feel that if a person & a player of the stature of Azhar says that he has some years of cricket left in him, then his track record does justify his inclusion in the team and since his physical fitness is not in much question, let him prove all over again if his mind is really in for it ? lets not try to disgrace a great cricketer by throwing him out...

senthil: senthil@england.com: I think Mohammad Azaruddin deserves the chance to be a team member and without the captaincy pressure, he will do very good in coming years.

Raj: rpannala@worldnet.att.net: Well, as Mr. Bogle has put, Azhar is a wonderful cricketer. He is a joy to watch when he gets going. Selectors can drop him if they are confident of having a replacement(?) now. I seriously doubt it. Go Azhar!!!!! -Raj

srikanth ramabhadran: s_ramabhadran@hotmail.com: I agree with you reagrding the averages of Azhar over the past years. But sometimes i feel the averages do not give correct picture of the batsmen's form and abilitie For a cricketer as experienced as Azhar the indian team should expect the big or crucial knocks . For his experience and talent i feel Azhar should have gotten into the habit of leading the team from the front and score runs when it matters most. Like how Steve waugh scored a century against South africa in the World cup. I still feel Azhar has to be given a last chance to prove himself as a batsmen and team player. Azhar for his part should stay in the crease, play some sensible cricket instead getting out for loose shots and use his expericence to step up to critical situations with more responsibilities. If he does that than Azhar has a good 2 to 3 years of international cricket left in him . He would do a world of good to him if he capiltalises on his fit body , tone his batting skills and concentrate more to play some sensible cricket which could erase a lot of bad memories people have about his batting abilities. This would help him in fitting finale from international cricket. But i feel still he needs to be given a last chance and be evaluated on series by series basis.

: : I think Azhar should be included in the team.

: nsaxena@ccms-renal.physio.emory.edu: May god bless Sachin and may He lead and perform to the best of his ability. Our prayers are constantly with him and his family that they have happiness, peace and success in all aspects of life. SaiRam!

Kamal: raigirk@hotmail.com: My answer is yay ... lets not miss the style of azzu so soon... this is not the tone of Hyderabadi but that of a person whose says cricket is my religion ....

src: robayon@aol.com: Azhar should be in the sidelines. He is not scoring enough runs nor he has the ability or character to be a captain. Azhar should be out of the team and the selectors should give chance to a future budding cricketer.

Sharad Sharma: sharmasharad@hotmail.com: Azhar should be dropped from the team without second thought.

kanth: jvbkanth@hotmail.com: Ajhar shlould continue for atleast 1-2 years. I am sure he will answer the critics with bat!

pramod: pramodkumar_49@yahoo.com: Azhar should not be removed from cricket team. He is the scape goat of the world cup disaster.Though everone is responsible.

thomas: thomasnc@hotmail.com: hi, i think azhar deserves another chance and if he doesnot perform in srilanka then maybe he can be dropped. further if he doesnot give the support expected of a senior player(like he supposedly did last time) that will be a good reason to not to take to australia where anyway azhar has alwaysbeen a failure bye

Vigyan Luhadia: vigpriya@hotmail.com: Azhar, the classy SHOULD be given a place in the indian team. He is too good to be IGNORED and remember, if we could do away with Shastris , this man deserves more than that !

Shabab: m_shabab@hotmail.com: There is still a lot more cricket left in him and simply a lean patch sgould not be made a point for his exit.He is still the most valuable player of the team in terms of dedication and sportsmanship.

Senthil: senthil43@hotmail.com: Azhar should continue to play. Considering the standard of indian fielding, azhar is one of the best. As the article says azhar's batting has been highly self similar and we can expect him to click again. I think azhar should play atleast one more year and after that he can decide whether he should quit. My wishes for him to make it to the team. Senthil.

yatindra: yatindra@aol.com: Remember how Raj Singh Dungarpur treated Mohinder Amarnath despite his statistics?

Manohar Ramachandra: manohar_ram@hotmail.com: I think Azhar should gracefully retire from International cricket. There are many talented batsmen waiting to make it to the Indian cricket team. His retirement will help himself as well as Sachin. No matter what decision he takes I wish him Good Luck. Thank you Manohar

: : azhar should be kept in the team. He should continue playing cricket

Satheeesh: skeremutt@yahoo.com: I think selector should not ignore Azhar as a batsman. Azhar should get a chance to prove his potential even at his age of 36. I think he still has the capability of hitting 200+ in an innings.

deb: pal: nay

Muneeb: muneeb_s@hotmail.com: Though AZZA has not been at his brilliant best in 99, we must not forget that he had one of the best years in his career in 98. Most did not find anything wrong with his captaincy in the recent World cup. One does not have to be animated on the field to prove to be a good captain. Look at Steve Waugh!. We should let Players in the class of AZZA decide when to call it a day because such players will never play unless they are confident of delivering the goods for the sake of the country.

ravi: ravc@hotmail.com: I think Azhar should retire gracefully. I don't think there is any chance of him becoming captain again and so it will be diffcult for him to take orders from the younger brigade given his mentality. Even the captains also will be reluctant to order him around as he is very much senior to them. Considering all this and considering his bad batting form (which I don't think has any chance of becoming good again) he should retire and get himself out of the team. Thanks to Azhar for his 'service' to Indian cricket and congrats to all the 'greatness' he achieved.

Arun: mv_arun@hotmail.com: Azhar should not be in the side as players like Laxman ,Ramesh,Sharath,Kambli and Mazumdar need to be given chances.

Rupesh Kumar: rupeshkumar@123india.com: Azhar is having great talent and can play some more years. He should be in. He will prove who he is in the upcoming matches. Bravo Azhar! An admirer

Srinivasan Rajan: Srinivasan.Rajan@ap.bdi.gte.com: Azhar should be in the team. I am very positive

Amit: psycho10@nightmail.com: YAY, YAY, YAY, ....

Ramesh: vrameshcbe@hotmail.com: Azhar should be present in the team . The middle order will be a vacuum without him and there is hardly any player of Azhar's calibre right now to replace him in that slot .

Hamaad Ravda: hamaadravda@netscape.net: yay!

Dale: srindale@hotmail.com: Azar should be in the team, In sachin's captaincy Azar played very well in the past.He is an outstanding fielder. and well experienced , Sourab can play only one game once in a year , Azar is dedicated player he can play every time.

Tanuj: tanuj@crosswinds.net: I think azhar should be retained in the team as he is just going thru a lean phase in his game....thats no reason to shunt him out..lets give him time to improve and get back to his normal game .

Manish Singhal: manishsinghal_27@yahoo.com: Hi I think the column is very well timed and comprhensive. We have to also look at options we might have if we drop Azhar.Not debating on his dismissal as a captain but you cannot just murder a player for a lean phase in an otherwise illustrious career. He has done more and over to allow him the decision of calling it a day. Let not such a decision be made for him to add insult to injury. Regards

Satish: satishkum@yahoo.com: I say Yes/yay..he SHOULD be kept in the Team..There is no palyer in Indian side having his experience and skills..Given his poor form as of now this may take a while..BUT he certainly deserves a place in this Team..we should NOT right him away based on prejudices.. World cup exit was not entirely his folly..we are talking of TEAM here. Why don't we wait and watch how things unravel before giving our vague verdicts..THIS GUY REALLY DESERVES A CHANCE TO BE IN THE TEAM..and HE WILL SPRING US SOME SURPRISES.. I wish Azhar THE BEST and hope to see him regain his crown (Captain's) and Good Luck to Sachin..he has tremendous task ahead..!! Satish

Hemin: hemins@hotmail.com: Azhar, Please retire from India cricket for the sake of cricket. as you are great lover of crcket, try to understand, that your time has come and wish Cricket GOOD BYE, before cricket leaves you. From : A Great Azhar Fan. who do not want azhar to be kicked out, instead take retirement like a cricket hero.

Guru: trgvt@hotmail.com: Yeah, myself a fan of Azhar would be very much down in spirits if this is the end of him. It would be great if he plays for another one or two seasons and retires in style.

venvij@hotmail.com: : Azhar should continue playing. He is still a world class player and perfectly fit.

zeya: zeya@ureach.com: The selection committee should keep him. The article speaks for him. He has done this in the past but he recovers from the cliff to shine.

Pandu R.C Vangara: vangara@mailcity.com: Yay! retain Azzu.

Krishna : krishnvg@yahoo.com: Yes! I guess Azhar should be given a chance. I deem this chance as a chance to test if Azhar's cricketing prowess is good as it was in his early days. The outcome of the chance, will be clear for all: AZHAR to call it a day; and the board to dispense with Azhar's sevices.

siva: siva_777@hotmail.com: Failure as a captain does not warrant his removal from the team.His performance as anything other than captain is splendid.Its pathetic to note that everytime our team fails the BCCI skillfully puts the blame on someone else. For a change why not sack the BCCI Board for diminishing INDIAN PRIDE and demoralizing our players.

Rajesh Goel: rajeshg@xilinx.com: I have put a lot of efforts in this mail so do read it. Azharuddin should be in the team. I didn't even like the decision for the change in captaincy. I think in this one-day team there are only two players who has made India win a match in batting second with a close finish and they are Mohammad Azharuddin and Robin Singh. Azahar is the only player who can fetch victory from the jaws of defeat. He has made India win the matches just bcoz of his feilding. In 80's It was a 6 odi series when India won just one match with equal scores just bcoz of his tight throw. 1992 BnH series tie against W.Indies Azhar has been the most successful Captain so far. people like gavaskar has no right to raise their fingers on azahr Gavaskar himself scored just one ODI hundred. In the press box he says India should increase runrate batsman should use their feet and stuff like that. He never used his feet, he never made India win even a single ODI. Sachin Tendulkar is a great batsman and there is no doubt about that but we need a good captain. Not like Jadeja who is trying hard to become a captain. It should be a bowler or an all-rounder with strong bowling(like Kapil) Batsman cannot make more than one mistake and captain being under pressure do make a lot of mistakes. bowler can recover from his mistakes. I do remeber the match in this worldcup when azahar asked Jadeja to bowl and jadeja did refuse. We need the spirit to win a match and azahar as the captain. Can u forget Mongia's Ining against Australia in the super-six match. Somebody should go n kick his ass for that ining.

Samit Saha: ssaha@sprint.ca: Azhar has always been one of the sports personality who hit the headlines for his performance and his failure. People Love him (like I do) and hate him to. The world cup performance of the indian team dissapointed me and so was Azhar. Whats the point of carrying on with him when the end seem to be evident. Give new guys a chance to rebuild the team around sachin -sourav-dravid-kumble-srinath. Azhar has given Indian cricket a lot ; but unfortunately his era seems to be over.

Krishna : krishnvg@yahoo.com: Yes! I guess Azhar should be given a chance. I deem this chance as a chance to test if Azhar's cricketing prowess is good as it was in his early days. The outcome of the chance (if Azhar doesn't deliver goods) ,will be clear for all: AZHAR to call it a day; and the board to dispense with Azhar's sevices.

pk: : SELECT AZHAR. He will come out of the slump.

nag: ningarajn@cshs.org: nay, time for other youngsters.

Sriram: snadimpalli@yahoo.com: If Azhar is fit to play and performs he should be allowed to continue. But if he is in the way of an young talented player, then he should be shown the door. But sincerely I feel that there are other irresponsible members in the team ( who doesn't like the idea of a team work ) who should be tackled before pointing a finger at Azhar.

Gopi: krisgopi@hotmail.com: I feel Azhar should be in the side for atleast 1 or 2 more years. May be he may get back his form since there is no pressure on him now. He is a decent player.

Zubair Kazi: zubairqazi@hotmail.com: Yay! He deserves a chance!

Subash: Subash_john@hotmail.com: Azhar should be retained in the Indian Team for atleast a year.

rags: paddyrags@rediffmail.com: Azhu should be in the team, but he should him self see that he is fully fit before he starts playing, otherwise he might detirirate his shoulder injury. Wish you good luck and lot of tons in future rags Stamford CT USA

Atul Sahai: asahai1@uic.edu: Azhar's prescence in the team could have been tolerated if younger blood wasn' there, but since we have a lot of new poeple waiting ,thus he should retire

Ram Datar: ramdatar@hotmail.com: Yes! Looking at Azhar's career pattern of bouncing back from time to time, I am quite confident that he has still got runs (and may be even wickets) in him, and his agility at 37 ought not to be forgotten too! He must be given a chance pending his production of fitness certificate. Let us not make the same mistake we made years earlier about pushing out Rusi Surti, Abid Ali, Padmakar Shivalkar and Farukh Engineer.

Dilip: dkp@cs.buffalo.edu: Azhar should now be given the same chance as any other batsman (with an established record) would be. If he's not fit or he can't produce a fitness certificate in time, keep him out. If he can, include him. And if he yet again insists on playing like a sulky, spoilt brat who's had a toy taken away from him - let him go; that's not where the future is.

sharat: sharat_sharat@mailcity.com: yay, azhar should remain in the team. He is not a match winner. But take the case of South Africa. If you want to win a ODI match then everybody needs to contribute. And azhar has not been hitting centuries in last few matches but he has been contributing in most of the matches.

Aman Kapoor: aman_kapoor@rhk.com: Retire when you are on top of your game. Like a Michael Jordan and Bjorn Borg. Please do not wait for the day where you have to retire after having a disastrous series.

vikram: vikramx@yahoo.com: nay..nay..nay...

Shashi: shashi_goli@hotmail.com: For someone who is India's most successful captain and a brilliant batsman and an outstanding fielder, he deserves another chance if he feels he can do it! I am sure, if he feels he is not up to the mark, he will quit on his own. Go Azza! A Big Fan, Shashi

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