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Happy Birthday Mohammad Azharuddin: A highly skillful batter with majestic wristwork and astute timing, Azharuddin represented India in 99 Tests and 334 ODIs.
Mohammad Azharuddin led India to 14 Test wins and 90 ODI victories. (Image: azharflicks/Instagram)
Happy Birthday Mohammad Azharuddin: One of the most successful captains ever to lead the Indian cricket team, Mohammad Azharuddin celebrates his 62nd birthday today (February 8). A highly skillful batter with majestic wristwork and astute timing, Azharuddin represented India in 99 Tests and 334 ODIs. Azharuddin made his international debut against England in a Test match in December 1984-85. In ODIs, he made his first appearance against the English side in January 1985.
Azharuddin’s international career got off to a flying start as he scored a brilliant century in his debut Test at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. As Azharuddin celebrates his birthday on this day, we take a look at some of the records achieved by the former India skipper.
Mohammad Azharuddin’s Test Milestone
Mohammad Azharuddin became the only cricketer to score centuries in his first three Test matches. After hitting a Test debut ton in Kolkata, Azharuddin carried forward the momentum in the second Test and breached the three-digit mark in Chennai. The story remained the same in the third Test with Azharuddin scoring another Test ton in Kanpur.
Mohammad Azharuddin’s Incredible Leadership
Mohammad Azharuddin has 47 Tests and 174 ODIs to his name as India captain. He led India to 14 Test wins and 90 ODI victories.
Mohammad Azharuddin’s Batting In Numbers
In 99 Tests, Mohammad Azharuddin scored 6215 runs at an average of 45.03. Azharuddin bagged 22 centuries and 21 half centuries in red-ball cricket. His highest Test score has been 199.
ALSO READ: On This Day In 1985: Azharuddin Became First Batter To Score Centuries In His First Three Tests
In ODIs, He played in 334 matches and scored 9378 runs at a strike rate of 74.02. He hit seven centuries and 58 half centuries in this format. Azharuddin’s highest ODI score has been an unbeaten 153.
Mohammad Azharuddin’s Memorable Innings
One of Mohammad Azharuddin’s memorable knocks came against England in 1990. At Lord’s, Azharuddin played a remarkable knock of 121 in the first innings. His quickfire 111-ball innings comprised 22 boundaries.
Ending On A High Note
In his final Test appearance, Mohammad Azharuddin scored a century in the second innings against South Africa. Playing in Bengaluru, Azharuddin produced a magnificent knock of 102 off 170 deliveries in the second innings. Despite his brilliance with the bat, India had to concede a defeat in that Test by an innings and 71 runs.
