T P VENU I hyderabad

Mohammed Azharuddin has one last chance to redeem himself. The ‘golden boy’ as he was called when he burst onto the cricketing firmament in the 80s has had a roller coaster ride. The 62-year-old master of the flick, has reinvented himself physically, now with full head of hair, thanks to a hair transplant, he looks healthier and smarter. But the big question is will he make amends to his political career this time around?

Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin was sworn in as a minister in Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy’s cabinet on Friday notwithstanding strong opposition to his swearing in from the BJP. Azharuddin’s switch from the pitch to politics just like his personal life has been a rocky affair. The journey from Moradabad to Hyderabad has been wrought by criticism.

There are several challenges that Azharuddin has on hand.  Can he take on Owaisi in Telangana and make Congress strong. Will he change the course of minorities’ fate in improving their living standards? It is a big opportunity to lead as captain of Hyderabad Muslims. He has blessings of the High Command and the state has a strong 10% Muslim vote bank.

During his tenure as President of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) from 2020 to 2023, Mohammad Azharuddin’s administration was marked by significant failures underscoring his ineligibility for constitutional office. Numerous and widespread allegations of bribery for team selections, reportedly ranging from Rs. 15 to 40 lakh per position, have cast a shadow over the integrity of HCA operations during his leadership. The underperformance of the Ranji Trophy team was widely attributed to these corrupt practices.

Azhar had won his first Lok Sabha election from Moradabad in 2009 but after that stint he could not win. In the consequent election, he could not manage a single win for the Congress. In 2014, he was given the Tonk Sawai-Madopur ticket in Rajasthan, but lost by a margin of more than 1 lakh votes.

Will he use the ministers’ position for furthering his personal gain, or work for the minorities, transparency in purchases and improving states sports image?

The match fixing scandals will always follow his life whether he likes it or not. The regret of not playing 100 test matches for India will always hurt Azhar. This is a golden opportunity for the once ‘Golden Boy of Indian cricket’ to pad up once again and deliver. It is his last chance. Can he grab it with both hands? Only time will tell.