Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Kumble took the right decision, says Azhar

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin today (9) defended Anil Kumble's decision to quit as Indian cricket team's head coach, saying the legendary leg-spinner took the right call in the interest of self respect.

Kumble had controversially quit two days after the Champions Trophy final loss against Pakistan in London in June, calling his partnership with captain Virat Kohli "untenable".


He was given an extension for the West Indies tour, but Kumble chose otherwise, marking a closure to his acrimonious episode as the head coach.

"I feel very sad for him. It is sad that something like this happened to Anil. Knowing Anil, I don't think he is that type of a person. Maybe he thought it is better to be away than losing your self-respect. I think he took the right decision," Azharuddin said.

The former skipper, who led India in three ODI World Cups - 1992, 1996 and 1999 - was speaking to reporters at the pre-launch event of 3D mobile game Azhar- the Captain, by Hyderabad based firm BigCode Games.

Azharuddin also disagrees with current head coach Ravi Shastri, who had recently said that Indian teams of past 20 years have not achieved as much as this current lot has.

"The Indian team in those days were different to the team now so it is unfair to compare. He (Shastri) was also part of the team in those days so he is also including himself. The bowlers were different, the opposition teams were different so it is difficult to compare between the two eras, he said.

Almost five years after the Andhra Pradesh High Court has quashed all charges of match-fixing against him, Azharuddin is yet to receive his pending from the BCCI.

Azharuddin's case came up for discussion today during a meeting between BCCI office-bearers and Committee of Administrators, where it decided to refer the matter to the Board's general body.

"My expectations are positive because I never think negative. The letter that I sent to the Board it has been put in the agenda of the meeting so that means they are serious about it. I am hoping this case is resolved at the earliest and we move ahead," Azharuddin said.

"I never had a problem with BCCI. Obviously when I got the ban I had to defend myself, that is the only thing other than that there is nothing against the Board," said Azharuddin, who has been banned for life by the BCCI for his involvement in match-fixing.

Two days ago, S Sreesanth's life ban was revoked by the Kerala High Court.

Asked about the case, Azharuddin said, "I think if the court order has come then they have to follow it. He has lost four years but Sreesanth will have to bring his fitness up to the required standards. He will have to put in good performances.

"According to me, Sreesanth was one of the finest fast bowlers but I think he was not handled properly. If he was handled better, he would have turned out to be a good fast bowler. If you see very few bowlers could manage to land the ball on the seam as he did, so he was very good."

"The BCCI will have to take a positive decision (on Sreesanth) if the court has given an order," he added.

Azharuddin also expressed his displeasure after he was barred from contesting the Hyderabad Cricket Association elections.

"Regarding the HCA elections, they could not stop me from contesting but they misled the lower court. The Lodha Committee recommendations clearly states that an election commissioner who has been in the same role in the past only can conduct the elections. If you don't have a person fulfilling the criteria in Hyderabad then you can call someone from outside to conduct the elections," he said.

"But they misled the lower court and did all wrong things. Like in the last meeting they said they have followed the Lodha Panel recommendations, but if they have followed it then 90 per cent of the people in the association will have to go.

"Even the HCA president will have to go because he has got a cabinet rank post in the TRS government. He is claiming that he doesn't get any salary but the fact of the matter is that it is a salaried post and it doesn't matter whether you take the salary or not. So if they have followed the Lodha recommendations as they are claiming, then they will have to first remove the president," he added.

More For You

Shabana Mahmood

'You shouldn’t believe anyone in politics who says they’re not ambitious about the top job because they’re basically lying,' she said. (Photo: Getty Images)

Shabana Mahmood signals openness to prime minister role

Shabana Mahmood has suggested she could one day seek to lead the Labour Party, saying politicians who deny ambition for the top job are “basically lying.”

Speaking at a fringe event during the Labour Party conference, the new home secretary said she is committed to serving Keir Starmer but stopped short of ruling out her own leadership ambitions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shah Rukh Khan

His status not only as a cinematic icon but also as a successful entrepreneur

Getty Images

Shah Rukh Khan enters billionaire club with fortune of £1.04 billion

Highlights

  • Shah Rukh Khan’s net worth reaches approximately £1.04 billion, marking his entry into the billionaire club.
  • Tops the Hurun India Rich List for Bollywood stars.
  • Wealth primarily driven by Red Chillies Entertainment and IPL franchise ownership.
  • Global real estate holdings and luxury lifestyle complement his business ventures.

From actor to billionaire

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has officially joined the billionaire club for the first time, according to the Hurun India Rich List 2025. With a net worth of approximately £1.04 billion, Khan now holds the top spot among Bollywood actors, cementing his status not only as a cinematic icon but also as a successful entrepreneur.

Khan’s journey from modest beginnings in Delhi to international superstardom is well documented, but it is his business acumen that has pushed him into billionaire territory. Over the years, he has leveraged his fame into multiple ventures, spanning production, sports, and luxury lifestyle investments, making him a notable figure in both the entertainment and business worlds.

Keep ReadingShow less
Online GP booking

The government said the move is aimed at reducing the '8am scramble' when patients try to get through on the phone. (Representational image: iStock)

Online GP booking made mandatory across England

FROM today (October 1), all GP practices in England are required to offer online appointment bookings throughout the day.

The government said the move is aimed at reducing the “8am scramble” when patients try to get through on the phone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Legends Arena

Legends Arena, which opened Pakistan’s first padel courts two years ago, has since been at the centre of the sport’s rapid growth in the country.

Karachi to host Pakistan’s first international padel tournament

PAKISTAN will host its first international padel tournament next month, with Karachi’s Legends Arena set to stage the Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT) Grand Slam from October 30 to November 2.

The tournament will feature professional men’s and women’s competitions, along with men’s, women’s and mixed amateur events. The total prize fund is US$13,000, and registrations for amateur players remain open until October 20.

Keep ReadingShow less
India vs Sri Lanka

Indian players celebrate after their team's comfortable win over Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Monday. (Photo: Getty Images)

Deepti, Amanjot guide India to 59-run win over Sri Lanka in World Cup opener

INDIA began their ICC Women’s World Cup campaign with a 59-run win over Sri Lanka in the opening match in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur scored half-centuries to help India reach 269 for eight in 47 overs after rain shortened the game.

Keep ReadingShow less