Why Azhar Always Had His Collar Up While Playing
Azhar was one of India's most successful Test captains. The Hyderabadi was known for his stylish batting as well as his mannerisms on a cricket pitch
Highlights
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Azhar reveals why he always had his collar up
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Azhar now has a film named after him
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Azhar played 99 Tests for India
Mohammed Azharuddin lived his life as a cricketer and a moderately successful politician. Azhar, now in the spotlight for a biopic named after him, was one of India's most successful Test captains who had a style of his own on and off the field.
The 53-year-old Azhar emerged from a middle-class and orthodox Hyderabadi family. He made a stunning arrival to Test cricket, slamming centuries in each of his first three Tests against England in 1984-85.
Azhar was known for stylish batting, especially his leg-side flicks that drew comparison with the great Greg Chappell and Zaheer Abbas. A gifted fielder, who made the wristy flick throws from cover point a trademark, Azhar was clearly a man conspicuous by his swagger and mannerisms.
His collar-up demeanour, now a fashion across cricket fields and even garments, caught the eye of all.
Was it all about arrogance of a man who defied the odds and was caught in various personal controversies, including a divorce and marriage to model-actress Sangeeta Bijlani?
Just like his classy and smooth leg-side shots, Azhar has a simple answer.
"While fielding at point, I used to have problems in my neck skin because of the exposure to the sun. Hence, I decided to raise my collar as protection and it became a habit," Azhar told Radio Channel fever 104 FM.
Azhar also made the white helmet famous. At a time when not many would wear a helmet and brave it out in the middle, Azhar wore a white one.
"I had a liking for white helmet since we used it a lot during playing Tests. And since there was no compulsion of using a blue helmet, I played with a white one," Azhar told the radio channel.
Azhar was known for his fondness for wrist watches and cars.
Due to the match-fixing controversy, Azhar was denied the honour of playing a 100 Tests. His 99th Test was equally dramatic.
Against South Africa in Bangalore in March 2000, Azhar scored a century (102) in India's second innings. India, led by Sachin Tendulkar, still lost the match by an innings as South Africa won the two-match series, 2-0.