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Sangeeta Bijlani

2023-02-15T14:37:27Z

49.207.49.103:

{{Short description|Indian model and actress (born July 09 1962
)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Sangeeta Bijlani
| image = Sangeeta at fashion show 2017 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Bijlani in August 2017
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|07|09|df=yes|}}<ref name="Birthday"/>
| birth_place = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India<ref name="Birthday"/>
| years_active = 1988–1997
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|model}}
| spouse = {{Marriage|[[Mohammad Azharuddin]]|1996|2010|reason=divorced}}<ref name="div2">{{cite web |last1=Gupta |first1=Rajarshi |title=Mohammad Azharuddin furious with reports of third marriage |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mohammad-azharuddin-furious-with-reports-of-third-marriage/1/552283.html |website=[[India Today]] |access-date=7 May 2016 |date=21 December 2015}}</ref>
}}

'''Sangeeta Bijlani''' (born 9 July 1960) is an Indian former [[Bollywood]] actress, [[Femina Miss India|Miss India]] winner and wife of [[Mohammad Azharuddin]].<ref name="div">[https://web.archive.org/web/20091119171541/http://in.movies.yahoo.com/artists/Sangeeta-Bijlani/summary-13082.html Sangeeta Bijlani]. movies.yahoo.com</ref> She started her Bollywood career with a lead role in ''[[Qatil]]'' (1988) and was one of the three female leads in the film ''[[Tridev]]'' (1989).

== Early life ==
Bijlani was born on 9 July 1960 in [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India into a [[Sindhi Hindu]] family.<ref name="Birthday">{{cite news |title=10 साल तक संगीता बिजलानी और सलमान खान ने किया था डेट, इस वजह से नहीं हो सकी शादी |url=https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/entertainment/bollywood/sangeeta-bijlani-birthday-special-story |access-date=21 May 2019 |work=[[Amar Ujala]] |date=8 July 2018 |lang=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dixit |first=Shivani |date=9 July 2021 |title=10 Then vs now photos! 61-year old Sangeeta Bijlani's transformation is sure to make your eyes pop. |url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/celebrity/article/then-vs-now-photos-61-year-old-sangeeta-bijlanis-transformation-is-sure-to-make-your-eyes-pop/782354 |work=[[Zoom (Indian TV channel)|Zoom TV]] |access-date=25 November 2021}}</ref>

== Modelling and commercials ==
Bijlani began modelling at the age of 16.<ref name="Birthday"/> She went on to do many commercials including ads of [[Nirma]] and [[Pond's]] soap.<ref name="div"/> Sangeeta received her popular name "''Bijli''" from her modelling days.<ref name="Birthday"/>

== Miss India Universe and international recognition ==
Bijlani was crowned [[Femina Miss India|Miss India]] Universe Title in 1980.<ref name="Birthday"/> She represented India at the [[Miss Universe]] pageant in [[Seoul, South Korea]] where she won Best National Costume award designed by her mother Poonam Bijlani.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

== Bollywood debut and success ==
Bijlani made her Bollywood debut in 1987 with ''[[Qatil]]'', opposite [[Aditya Pancholi]] and then went on to act in ''[[Tridev]]'', ''[[Hathyar (1989 film)|Hathyar]]'', ''[[Jurm (1990 film)|Jurm]]'', ''[[Yodha (1991 film)|Yodha]]'', ''Yugandhar'', ''[[Izzat (1991 film)|Izzat]]'' and ''[[Lakshman Rekha]]''.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}} She did a bilingual in [[Hindi]] and [[Kannada]] opposite [[Vishnu Vardhan]]. She was nominated by the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress]] category for Jurm opposite [[Vinod Khanna]] and was directed by [[Mahesh Bhatt]] and scripted by [[Salim Khan]]. She has also worked with [[Mahesh Bhatt]], [[Mukul Anand]], [[J.P. Dutta]], [[Rahul Rawail]] and [[N. Chandra]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}

== Television career ==
Bijlani made her small-screen debut with ''Chandni'' - "a tale of power, revenge and love" in early 1996 opposite actor [[Shahbaz Khan (actor)|Shahbaz Khan]]. She also went on to produce ''Hasna Mat'', with [[Kader Khan]] on [[Star Plus]] and ''Kinarey Milte Nahi'' on [[Zee TV]].

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Series
! Role
! Network
! Notes
!Ref
|-
| 2021
|''[[Super Dancer]]''
| Guest
| [[Sony Entertainment Television]]
| With [[Jackie Shroff]]
||<ref>{{cite news |title=Sangeeta Bijlani recreates Tridev magic with Jackie Shroff on Super Dancer 4 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tv/sangeeta-bijlani-recreates-tridev-magic-with-jackie-shroff-on-super-dancer-4-101628992261360.html |access-date=15 August 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=15 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
|}

== Personal life ==
Bijlani and [[Salman Khan]] started dating each other in 1986 when they were still modelling and their relationship ended as Salman was caught cheating.<ref name="Birthday"/> Years later, the duo shared hugs and kisses during Salman's 57th birthday.

On 14 November 1996, Bijlani married cricketer [[Mohammed Azharuddin]] at a reception at the [[Taj Mahal Palace & Tower|Taj Mahal Hotel]] in Mumbai. The marriage ended in a divorce in 2010, reportedly due to Azhar's alleged affair with badminton player [[Jwala Gutta]], which was denied by the player.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/badminton/Jwala-in-Bijli-out-of-Azharuddins-life/articleshow/6207416.cms |title=Jwala in, Bijli out of Azharuddin's life? |date=24 July 2010 |access-date=15 May 2016 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/India/Azharuddin_May_File_Divorce_From_Sangeeta_Within_A_Week_-3958.html |title=Azhar dating badminton player Jwala Gutta |work=India tv News |access-date=12 May 2016}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Qatil]]''
| Kiran Mathur
|
|-
| 1989
| ''[[Hathyar (1989 film)|Hathyar]]''
| Jenny
|
|-
| 1989
| ''[[Tridev]]''
| Natasha Tejani
|
|-
| 1990
| ''Jai Shiv Shankar''
|
|Unreleased
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Gunahon Ka Devta (1990 film)|Gunahon Ka Devta]]''
| Bhinde's sister
|
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Hatim Tai (1990 film)|Hatim Tai]]''
| Gulnar Pari, Husna Pari
|
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Jurm (1990 film)|Jurm]]''
| Geeta Sarabhai
|
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Paap Ki Kamaee]]''
|
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Yodha (1991 film)|Yodha]]''
| Vidya Agnihotri
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Police Matthu Dada]]''
|
| [[Kannada]] film
|-
| 1991
| ''Dhun''
|
| Unreleased film
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Numbri Aadmi]]''
| Sangeeta Rana
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Inspector Dhanush]]''
| Sangeeta
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Vishnu-Devaa]]''
| Sangeeta Samppat
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Khoon Ka Karz]]''
|Sagarika D. Mehta
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Gunehgar Kaun]]''
|Nisha
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Izzat (1991 film)|Izzat]]''
| Surya
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Shiv Ram]]''
|
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Lakshmanrekha]]''
| Beenu
|
|-
| 1993
| ''Yugandhar''
|
|
|-
| 1993
| ''[[Tahqiqaat]]''
| Roopa
|
|-
| 1993
| ''[[Game (1993 film)|Game]]''
| Advocate Shraddha
|
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Nirbhay (1996 film)|Nirbhay]]''
| Radha
|
|-
| 1997
|''[[Jagannath (1997 film)|Jagannath]]''
|
|
|-
| 1997
|''[[ABCD (1997 film)|ABCD]]''
|
|
|}
===Television commercial===
* 1984: Popular Tv commercial [[Vicco Group|Vicco]] Turmeric ayurvedic skin cream <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=When Vicco Turmeric ‘nahi cosmetic’ spread the love|url=https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/advertising/when-vicco-turmeric-nahi-cosmetic-spread-the-love/88218441|website=ETBrandEquity|date=11 December 2021 }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
A 2016 [[Hindi cinema|Bollywood]] film ''[[Azhar (film)|Azhar]]'', directed by Tony D'Souza, was based on her life and depicts her relationship with her ex-husband and [[Indian cricket team|Indian cricketer]] [[Mohammad Azharuddin]]. Bijlani's character was played by [[Nargis Fakhri]] in the film.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 July 2015 |title=Nargis Fakhri to play Sangeeta's role in Azharuddin biopic |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/nargis-fakhri-to-play-sangeeta-s-role-in-azharuddin-biopic/story-M55FNbQau7Qql52DuGDJGN.html |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Nargis Fakhri to Play Sangeeta Bijlani in 'Azhar' |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/nargis-fakhri-to-play-sangeeta-bijlani-in-azhar |last=PTI |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=The Quint |language=en |date=4 July 2015}}</ref> According to media reports, Bijlani was not happy with her portrayal in the film as she was called the "house breaker" and further planned to sue the filmmakers.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sangeeta Bijlani to sue Azhar team? |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/sangeeta-bijlani-to-sue-azhar-team-229783 |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=Tribune |date=30 April 2016 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Hiten J |last=Trivedi |date=28 January 2017 |title=Sangeeta Bijlani and Manoj Prabhakar to sue the makers of 'Azhar'? - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/sangeeta-bijlani-and-manoj-prabhakar-to-sue-the-makers-of-azhar/articleshow/52038032.cms |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> However, [[Emran Hashmi]] the lead actor in the film slammed the media reports that Bijlani is unhappy with her character.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=28 January 2017 |title=Emraan Hashmi: Reports of Sangeeta Bijlani miffed with 'Azhar' false |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/emraan-hashmi-reports-of-sangeeta-bijlani-miffed-with-azhar-false/articleshow/52040289.cms |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=29 April 2016 |title=Emraan Hashmi clears the air on Sangeeta Bijlani being miffed with 'Azhar' |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-find-out-what-emraan-hashmi-has-to-say-about-the-rumours-regarding-sangeeta-bijlani-being-upset-with-azhar-2207355 |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=DNA India |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0082027}}

{{s-start }}
{{Succession box |
before=[[Swaroop Sampat]]|
title=[[Femina Miss India|Miss India]]|

after=[[Rachita Kumar]]
}}
{{s-end }}

{{Miss Universe 1980 delegates}}
{{authority control}}
{{Commons category|Sangeeta Bijlani}}
{{Portal|Bollywood}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bijlani, Sangeeta}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sindhi people]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Female models from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Femina Miss India winners]]
[[Category:Miss Universe 1980 contestants]]
[[Category:Actresses from Mumbai]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]

Mohammad Azharuddin

2023-02-15T14:27:27Z

49.207.49.103: robot: Creating/updating articles

{{short description|Indian cricketer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{for|the Kerala cricketer|Mohammed Azharuddin}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox cricketer
|name = Mohammad Azharuddin
|image= Mohammad Azharuddin (1).jpg
|caption =
|fullname = Mohammad Azizuddin Azharuddin
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|02|08|df=yes}}
|birth_place = [[Hyderabad]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], (now Telangana, India)
|nickname = Azhar, Ajju, Azzu, Miyan <ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article1498691.ece|title=Of comparisons and imitations|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=1 March 2011|access-date=14 July 2012}}</ref>
|family = [[Mohammad Asaduddin]] (son)
|height = 179 cm<ref>[https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/mohammad-azharuddin Mohammad Azharuddin’s profile] on [[Sportskeeda]]</ref>
|batting = Right-handed
|bowling = Right-arm medium
|role = Batsman
|international = true
|internationalspan = 1984–2000
|country=India
|testcap = 169
|testdebutagainst = England
|testdebutdate = 31 December
|testdebutyear = 1984
|lasttestagainst = South Africa
|lasttestdate = 2 March
|lasttestyear = 2000
|odicap = 51
|odidebutagainst = England
|odidebutdate = 20 January
|odidebutyear = 1985
|lastodiagainst = Pakistan
|lastodidate = 3 June
|lastodiyear = 2000
|club1 = [[Hyderabad cricket team|Hyderabad]]
|year1 = {{nowrap|1981–2000}}
|club2 = [[South Zone cricket team|South Zone]]
|year2 = {{nowrap|1983–2001}}
|club3 = [[Derbyshire County Cricket Club|Derbyshire]]
|year3 = {{nowrap|1991–1994}}
|columns = 4
|column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
|column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
|column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
|column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
|matches1 = 99
|matches2 = 334
|matches3 = 229
|matches4 = 433
|runs1 = 6,215
|runs2 = 9,378
| runs3 = 15,855
|runs4 = 12,941
|bat avg1 = 45.03
|bat avg2 = 36.92
|bat avg3 = 51.98
|bat avg4 = 39.33
|100s/50s1 = 22/21
|100s/50s2 = 7/58
|100s/50s3 = 54/74
|100s/50s4 = 11/85
|top score1 = 199
|top score2 = 153[[not out|*]]
|top score3 = 226
|top score4 = 161[[not out|*]]
|deliveries1 = 13
|deliveries2 = 552
|deliveries3 = 1432
|deliveries4 = 827
|wickets1 = 0
|wickets2 = 12
|wickets3 = 17
|wickets4 = 15
|bowl avg1 = –
|bowl avg2 = 98.44
|bowl avg3 = 46.23
|bowl avg4 = 47.26
|fivefor1 = –
|fivefor2 = 0
|fivefor3 = 0
|fivefor4 = 0
|tenfor1 = –
|tenfor2 = 0
|tenfor3 = 0
|tenfor4 = 0
|best bowling1 = –
|best bowling2 = 3/19
|best bowling3 = 3/36
|best bowling4 = 3/19
|catches/stumpings1 = 105/–
|catches/stumpings2 = 156/–
|catches/stumpings3 = 220/–
|catches/stumpings4 = 200/–
|source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/26329.html ESPNcricinfo
|date = 13 February
|year = 2009
|module =
{{Infobox officeholder
| embed = yes
| name = Mohammad Azharuddin
| office = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| constituency = [[Moradabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Moradabad]]
| term_start = {{Start date|2009|05|16|df=yes}}
| term_end = {{End date|2014|05|16|df=yes}}
| predecessor = [[Shafiqur Rahman Barq]]
| successor = [[Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar Singh]]
| office3 = [[Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee|Working President of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee]]
| term_start3 = 2 June 2014
| term_end3 =
| 1blankname3 = National President [[Indian National Congress]]
| 1namedata3 = [[Sonia Gandhi]]
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]
| spouse = {{Unbulleted_list|{{Marriage|Naureen|1987|1996|reason=divorce}}|{{Marriage|[[Sangeeta Bijlani]]|1996|2010|reason=divorced}}}}

| office2 = 27th President of [[Hyderabad Cricket Association]]
| term_start2 = 27 September 2019
| predecessor2 = Dr. G Vivikanand

}}
}}

'''Mohammad Azharuddin''' (born 8 February 1963) is an Indian politician and a former international [[cricket]]er and former captain of [[India national cricket team]]. He is the working president of the [[Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee]] and was the [[Member of Parliament (India)|member of parliament]] for [[Moradabad (Lok Sabha Constituency)|Moradabad]]. He played 99 [[Test cricket|Test matches]] and 334 [[One Day International]]s for the [[Indian national cricket team]] before his international career came to an end after he was found to have been involved in a [[South Africa cricket match fixing|match fixing scandal]] in 2000 and subsequently banned by the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] for life. In 2012, the [[Andhra Pradesh High Court]] lifted the life ban.<ref>{{cite web |title=Andhra Pradesh High Court Clears Azhar |url=https://www.thequint.com/sports/the-mohammad-azharuddin-timeline-how-the-cricketer-went-downhill |website=thequint.com |date=11 May 2016 |access-date=10 August 2018}}</ref>

In 2009, Azharuddin was elected as a member of the parliament for Moradabad on an [[Indian National Congress]] party ticket.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/803242/mohammad-azharuddin-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-nawab-of-hyderabad|title=Mohammad Azharuddin: The rise and fall of the Nawab of Hyderabad|last=Choudhury|first=Angikaar|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US|access-date=1 April 2016}}</ref> In September 2019, Azharuddin was elected as the president of [[Hyderabad Cricket Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/former-india-captain-mohammad-azharuddin-hca-president-hyderabad-cricket-1604011-2019-09-27 |title=Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin elected as HCA president |work=India Today |access-date=28 September 2019}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Azharuddin was born on 8 February 1963. He was born in [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] to Mohammad Azizuddin and Yousuf Sultana. He attended [[All Saints High School, Hyderabad|All Saints High School]] and graduated from [[Nizam College]], [[Osmania University]] with a [[Bachelor of Commerce]] degree.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.azhar.co/biography.html|title=Biography of Azhar|work=azhar.co.in|access-date=12 May 2016}}.</ref> Azharuddin married his first wife Naureen in 1987 and they had two sons, Asaduddin and Ayazuddin. Ayazuddin died in a bike accident in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=TNN|date=Sep 17, 2011 |title=Azharuddin's teenage son dies 5 days after bike crash {{!}} India News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/azharuddins-teenage-son-dies-5-days-after-bike-crash/articleshow/10013733.cms |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> After 9 years of marriage to Naureen, Azharuddin confessed of his relationship with actress Sangita Bijlani whom he said he fell in love with at first sight during an ad shoot in 1985. Subsequently, Azharuddin divorced Naureen and married Bijlani in 1996. They were married for fourteen years before they separated due to Azharuddin's rumoured affairs with multiple people, notably female badminton player [[Jwala Gutta]]. Azharuddin married Shannon Marie, his third wife, secretly. He recently{{When|date=October 2022}}revealed his marriage to her.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From love at first sight to divorce: The tragic love story of ex-India captain Md Azharuddin and Sangeeta Bijlani |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/cricket/photo-gallery-from-love-at-first-sight-to-divorce-the-tragic-love-story-of-ex-india-captain-md-azharuddin-and-sangeeta-bijlani-2906301 |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mohammad Azharuddin birthday special: Know Indian cricketer Azhar, his love life and three wives! |url=https://www.india.com/photos/sports/mohammad-azharuddin-birthday-special-know-indian-cricketer-azhar-his-love-life-and-three-wives-92541/ |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=www.india.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Cricket career==
{{peacock|date=July 2019}}
Azharuddin was known for his wristy strokeplay, much like Indian cricketer [[Gundappa Viswanath]] and Pakistani cricketer [[Zaheer Abbas]]. He made his debut for the [[Indian national cricket team|Indian cricket team]] in [[Test cricket]] in 1984 against [[England national cricket team|England]] at [[Eden Gardens]] in [[Kolkata]] on 31 December 1984, where he scored 110 in his first [[innings]] from 322 [[Delivery (cricket)|deliveries]], alongside [[Ravi Shastri]] who scored 111, in what was ultimately a drawn match. He subsequently scored two more [[Century (cricket)|centuries]] in his next two Test matches. He scored 121 against England at [[Lord's]] in 1990. India was faced with the prospect of a [[follow-on]] when Azharuddin came in to [[Batting (cricket)|bat]] at number five and scored his hundred off 88 balls in a losing cause. Former England cricketer [[Vic Marks]] called it "the most dazzling Test century" he had ever witnessed, in his column for ''[[The Observer]]''.<ref name="guardian1">{{cite web |last1=Smyth |first1=Rob |title=The Joy of Six: England v India memories |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/jul/22/joy-of-six-england-india-cricket |website=The Guardian |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012182454/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/jul/22/joy-of-six-england-india-cricket |archive-date=12 October 2018 |language=en |date=22 July 2011}}</ref> In the Second Test in [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|Manchester]], Azharuddin made 179 in reply to England's first innings total of 519. Playing attacking cricket, he made 103 [[Run (cricket)|runs]] off 107 balls between lunch and tea on day three, while putting on a 112-run stand with [[Sachin Tendulkar]]. Playing his 39th Test, he reached his 10th Test century off 155 balls.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Santhanam |first1=S. |title=Azhar (179), Manjrekar (93) put English attack to the sword |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=12 August 1990 |page=16}}</ref> The match ended in a draw.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Santhanam |first1=S. |title=Tendulkar (119 n.o.), Prabhakar rescue India |work=The Indian Express |date=15 August 1990 |page=18}}</ref> Azharuddin ended the series with 426 runs at 85.20.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bland |first1=Gareth |title=In praise of Azhar |url=http://www.cricketweb.net/in-praise-of-azhar/ |website=cricketweb.net |date=17 February 2016}}</ref> This tally was the highest by an Asian captain in a Test series in England [[Indian cricket team in England in 2018|until 2018]] when it was broken by [[Virat Kohli]].<ref>{{cite news |title=King Kohli Slams 23rd Test Ton, Pips Dhoni & Records he Broke |url=https://www.india.com/sports/india-vs-england-3rd-test-day-3-trent-bridge-icc-no-1-test-batsman-virat-kohli-slams-23rd-test-century-pips-ms-dhoni-joins-sachin-tendulkar-and-other-records-he-broke-3246770/ |access-date=1 May 2020 |work=India Today |date=20 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

Azharuddin scored a record-equalling century for an Indian player in the Second Test at Calcutta during [[South African cricket team in India in 1996–97|South Africa's India tour in 1996–97]]. In reply to South Africa's first innings score of 428, Azharuddin brought up his century off 74 deliveries, equalling [[Kapil Dev]]'s record for the fastest Test century by an India player and fourth overall, in terms of balls faced.<ref name="109record">{{cite news |last1=Menon |first1=Mohandas |title=Azhar's record breaking knock |url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961130/33550632.html |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=The Indian Express |date=30 November 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970424082104/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961130/33550632.html |archive-date=24 April 1997}}</ref><ref name="109Calcutta">{{cite news |last1=Jaishankar |first1=Vedam |author-link1=Vedam Jaishankar |title=Amazing Azhar onslaught revives India at Eden |url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961130/33550332.html |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=The Indian Express |date=30 November 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970424081844/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961130/33550332.html |archive-date=24 April 1997}}</ref> Resuming batting on day three on the fall of [[Javagal Srinath]]'s wicket after [[Retired (cricket)|retiring hurt]] the previous evening, Azharuddin reached 50 in 35 balls, then the second fastest for India and scored 91 runs in the first session of play. He struck a 161-run partnership with [[Anil Kumble]] for the eighth wicket, another India national record, "hooking and pulling" while dealing with his "weakness against the short-pitched delivery". He particularly attacked [[Lance Klusener]] scoring 20 runs off his 14th over. It was his fourth century at this venue and 15th overall.<ref name="109Calcutta"/><ref name="109record"/> However, India was handed one of its biggest defeats despite another attacking innings by Azharuddin in the fourth innings.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jaishankar |first1=Vedam |title=Indians remain clueless to Klusener |url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961202/33751042.html |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=The Indian Express |date=2 December 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970422105125/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961202/33751042.html |archive-date=22 April 1997}}</ref> Azharuddin followed this up with a second-innings century in the next Test, also the last, of the series. He made an unbeaten 163 and helped his team record their hitherto biggest win in Test history in terms of runs (280).<ref>{{cite web |title=Biggest margin |url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961213/34850532.html |work=The Indian Express |access-date=19 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970422174133/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961213/34850532.html |archive-date=22 April 1997 |date=13 December 1996}}</ref> He was named the [[Player of the Match awards (cricket)|man of the match]], and the series.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Magazine|first1=Pradeep|title=India wrap up victory quickly |url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961213/34850522.html|access-date=19 October 2018|work=The Indian Express|date=13 December 1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970422172139/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961213/34850522.html|archive-date=22 April 1997}}</ref> He aggregated 388 runs for the series at 77.60.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cricket Records / Records / South Africa in India Test Series, 1996/97 / Most runs |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=376;type=series |website=ESPN cricinfo |access-date=19 October 2018}}</ref>

Predominantly a [[Middle-order|middle order]] batsman, Azharuddin was known for his attacking brand of cricket and strong slip catching, though continuously struggled against the short ball. Azharuddin played 99 test matches for India and scored 6,215 runs at an [[Batting average (cricket)|average]] of 45.03, including 22 centuries and 21 half-centuries. His record in [[One Day International|One Day Internationals (ODIs)]] was 9,378 runs from 334 matches at an average of 36.92. As a [[Fielding (cricket)|fielder]], he took 156 catches in ODI cricket. Azharuddin started his career with a 110 [[English cricket team in India in 1984-85#3rd Test|against England]] in Kolkata in 1984 and ended with a 102 [[South African cricket team in India in 1999–2000#2nd Test|against South Africa]] in Banglaore in 2000 thus, becoming the only Indian and the fifth batsman ever to score a century in his first and last Test matches.

Azharuddin was convicted of [[match fixing]] in 2000, and banned for life by the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI). During India's 2000 tour of South Africa, a series that was won by India 3–2, Azharuddin scored 112 runs at an average of 28.<ref name="sportskeeda.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/mohammad-azharuddin-match-fixer-full-story-his-ban-lifted|title=Everyone thinks Mohammad Azharuddin was a match-fixer. But what is the full story and why was his ban lifted?}}</ref> Other key Indian cricketers whom Azharuddin groomed and also brought into the match-fixing fold displayed similarly dismal performances.

===Captaincy===
Azharuddin became the captain of the Indian team, succeeding [[Krishnamachari Srikkanth]] in 1989. He led the Indian team in 47 Test matches and 174 One Day Internationals. He led the team to victory in 90 ODIs, the highest until surpassed by [[M.S. Dhoni|MS Dhoni]] on 2 September 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Virat Kohli has to behave like a captain, says Mohammad Azharuddin|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/virat-kohli-has-to-behave-like-a-captain-says-mohammad-azharuddin/1148650/|access-date=6 January 2014|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=30 July 2013}}</ref> His 14 test match wins as captain was a record until it was beaten by [[Sourav Ganguly]], who has 21 test match wins to his name.<ref name="Express">{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/azhar-movie-trailer-mohammad-azharuddin-emraan-hashmi-2797198/|title=Azhar: Here's all the real-life drama from Mohammad Azharuddin's life|newspaper=[[Indian Express]]|date=13 May 2016|access-date=14 May 2016}}</ref>

===Match fixing===

Azharuddin was accused of match fixing in the [[South Africa cricket match fixing|match fixing scandal]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2000/nov/01full26.htm|title=The CBI Report in Full – Part 26|via=[[Rediff.com]]|date=1 November 2000|access-date=21 December 2010}}</ref> The CBI report states that Azharuddin was the one to introduce then South African Captain [[Hansie Cronje]] to the [[Bookmaker|bookies]].<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2000/nov/01full25.htm#azza1| title=The CBI Report in Full – Part 25|via=[[Rediff.com]]|date=1 November 2000|access-date=21 December 2010}}</ref> The [[International Cricket Council]] and the BCCI banned Azharuddin for life, based on a report by K Madhavan of the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]].<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2000/nov/01full.htm |title=Full text of the CBI|date=1 November 2000|via=[[Rediff.com]]|publisher=Central Bureau of Investigation, New Delhi|access-date=21 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/4774886/Azharuddin-confesses-all.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/4774886/Azharuddin-confesses-all.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title = Azharuddin confesses all}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 8 November 2012, a [[Division bench|divisional bench]] consisting of Justice [[Ashutosh Mohunta]] and Krishna Mohan Reddy of the [[High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad|Andhra Pradesh High Court]] revoked the ban imposed based on the evidence found. The court concluded that the ban was illegal, although Azharuddin never came back on the field. Azharuddin was 49 when the verdict was announced. He is currently{{When|date=October 2022}} the chairman of Hyderabad cricket board since 2019.<ref name="Wisden India">{{cite news|date=8 November 2012|title=AP high court lifts ban on Azharuddin|work=Wisden India|url=http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-news/ap-high-court-lifts-azharuddins-life-ban/34123|access-date=14 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/i-have-come-out-clean-and-proven-many-wrong/article4077225.ece|title=Match fixing scandal|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=8 November 2012|access-date=21 March 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/199015-high-court-relief-for-mohammad-azharuddin|title=Match fixing charges: Andhra court says life ban on Azharuddin illegal|date=8 November 2012|work=[[NDTV]]|access-date=21 March 2015|archive-date=9 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609043833/http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/199015-high-court-relief-for-mohammad-azharuddin|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Style===
Azharuddin was a middle order batsman of India. He was known for a graceful and fluid batting style. [[John Woodcock (cricket writer)|John Woodcock]], a cricket writer, said of him, "It's no use asking an Englishman to bat like Mohammad Azharuddin. It would be like expecting a greyhound to win [[Epsom Derby|The Derby]]."<ref>{{cite book|last=Astill|first=James|title=The Great Tamasha: Cricket, corruption and the turbulent rise of modern India |year=2013|page=132|publisher = Wisden Sports Writing|isbn=978-1408156926}}</ref> Retired cricketer [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]] stated that "Azharuddin had the best wrists in the game".<ref name="Express"/> [[Mike Atherton|Michael Atherton]] and [[Angus Fraser]] said Azharuddin's "genius was second only to [[Brian Lara]] among batsmen of their generation."<ref name="guardian1"/>

Novelist and cricket historian [[Arunabha Sengupta]] said of Azharuddin:
<blockquote> Mohammad Azharuddin, was one of the most delightful batsmen to watch and a superb fielder to boot, whose career ended under a cloud of allegations. Azhar was simply magical. Be it batting or fielding, his willow was a wand, his strokes cast a spell and his motion in the field was hypnotic.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mohammad Azharuddin: The magician who made batting look stunningly surreal |url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/mohammad-azharuddin-the-magician-who-made-batting-look-stunningly-surreal-22855 |website=cricketcountry.com |access-date=10 August 2018 |date=7 February 2016}}</ref></blockquote>

=== Test career statistics ===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Team
!Runs
!Average
!100s
!Highest Score
|-
|[[Australia national cricket team|Australia]]||780||39.00||2 || 163*
|-
|[[England cricket team|England]]
||1978||58.09||6 || 182
|-
|[[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]]||1152||61.23||2 || 192
|-
|[[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]]||1089||40.47||3 || 141
|-
|[[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]]||915||41.00||4 || 163*
|-
|[[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]]||1215||55.23||5 || 199
|-
|[[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]]||539||28.37||0 || 97
|-
|[[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]]||59||14.75||0 || 42
|-
|'''Total'''||'''6215'''||'''45.04'''||'''22'''||'''199'''
|}

==Political career==
Azharuddin formally joined the [[Indian National Congress]] party on 19 February 2009. He won the [[2009 Indian general election]] from [[Moradabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Moradabad]] in Uttar Pradesh to become a member of parliament of India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/azharuddin-starts-new-innings-joins-congress/85805-37.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221062717/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/azharuddin-starts-new-innings-joins-congress/85805-37.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2009|title=Azhar starts new innings|work=IBN Live|access-date=12 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampdetail.php?mpcode=4265 | title=Detailed Profile: Shri Mohammed Azharuddin | access-date=7 January 2020 | archive-date=5 September 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905160144/http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampdetail.php?mpcode=4265 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Azaharuddin had disclosed his intention to contest the 2019 elections from Secunderabad Parliamentary constituency in 2019.<ref>[http://indtoday.com/azaharuddin-keen-on-contesting-from-secunderabad-ls-seat/ Azaharuddin keen on contesting from Secunderabad LS seat]</ref>

He is currently holding the position of working president of [[Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|title=President of Pradesh Congress Committee|url=https://www.inc.in/en/pcc-presidents?page=5|website=Indian National Congress|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214174230/https://www.inc.in/en/pcc-presidents?page=5|url-status=dead}}{{vn|date=October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mohammad Azharuddin appointed working president of Telangana Congress|date=30 November 2018|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/telangana-elections/mohammad-azharuddin-appointed-working-president-of-telangana-congress/story-oOt3c0remVQH8g9zPSOYuM.html|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New innings: Mohammad Azharuddin is Congress's working president in Telangana|date=30 November 2018|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/mohammad-azharuddin-congress-working-president-telangana-1399569-2018-11-30|author=Supriya Bhardwaj|work=India Today}}</ref>

==Awards==
Azharuddin was awarded the [[Arjuna Award#Arjun Awardees in Cricket|Arjuna Award]] in 1986 and the [[Padma Shri]], India's fourth-highest civilian award, in recognition of his distinguished contribution in the field of sports, in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.odishabook.com/Aticle/More/General-Knowledge/2014/01/13/List-of-Arjun-Awards-for-Cricket|title=List of Arjuna Awardees|work=Odisha book|access-date=14 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508073747/http://www.odishabook.com/Aticle/More/General-Knowledge/2014/01/13/List-of-Arjun-Awards-for-Cricket|archive-date=8 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was named one of five ''[[Wisden]]'''s [[Wisden Cricketers of the Year|Cricketers of the Year]] for the year 1991.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Popham |first1=Peter |title=Azhar's world in ruins |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/azhars-world-in-ruins-623891.html |access-date=19 December 2018 |work=The Independent |date=5 November 2000 |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Azharuddin married Naureen in 1987. In 1996, he divorced her and married actress [[Sangeeta Bijlani]].<ref name="Express"/> The marriage reportedly ended in a divorce in 2010 due to Azharuddin's affair with badminton player [[Jwala Gutta]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/badminton/Jwala-in-Bijli-out-of-Azharuddins-life/articleshow/6207416.cms|title=Jwala in, Bijli out of Azharuddin's life?|date=24 July 2010|access-date=15 May 2016|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/India/Azharuddin_May_File_Divorce_From_Sangeeta_Within_A_Week_-3958.html|title=Azhar dating badminton player Jwala Gutta|work=India tv News|access-date=12 May 2016}}</ref>

He had two sons with his first wife; his younger son, Mohammad Ayazuddin, died in a road accident in 2011. The young cricketer was monitored in an intensive care unit with severe and multiple injuries in kidneys, chest and head.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/azharuddins-son-dead/article2458834.ece|title = Azharuddin's son dead|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 16 September 2011}}</ref> Many VIPs, including the then Andhra Pradesh [[Chief Minister]] [[Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy|Kiran Kumar Reddy]] and other politicians arrived at the hospital to console Azharuddin and his family members.<ref>{{cite news |title=Speed thrilled, killed 200 kmph Ayaz|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/investigation/speed-thrilled-killed-200-kmph-ayaz |date=18 September 2011}}</ref> His elder son, Mohammad Asaduddin, married Anam Mirza, the sister of [[Sania Mirza]], in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/celebrity/story/sania-mirza-s-sister-anam-announces-marriage-with-mohammad-asaduddin-in-stunning-instagram-post-1627615-2019-12-12|title=Sania Mirza's sister Anam marries Mohd Azharuddin's son Asaduddin in Hyderabad|newspaper=India Today|language=en|access-date=15 December 2019|agency=Ist}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/in-other-news/121219/mohammad-azharuddins-son-asad-marries-sania-mirzas-sister-anam-see.html|title=Mohammad Azharuddin's son Asad marries Sania Mirza's sister Anam; see pics and videos|date=12 December 2019|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=15 December 2019}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
A [[Hindi cinema|Bollywood]] film ''[[Azhar (film)|Azhar]]'', directed by Tony D'Souza, was based on his life. The film featured [[Emraan Hashmi]] as Azharuddin, [[Nargis Fakhri]] as Sangeeta Bijlani and [[Prachi Desai]] as first wife Naureen. It was released on 13 May 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=Azhar Plot Summary|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Azhar-Plot-Summary/articleshow/52250296.cms |access-date=10 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The film was criticized for [[Whitewashing (censorship)|whitewashing]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sorry Bollywood, The Truth About Azhar Lies in His Own Confessions|url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/in/entry/sorry-bollywood-the-truth_b_10001876 |access-date=14 July 2016 |language=en}}</ref> his complicity in the match-fixing scandal.

==See also==
*[[List of international cricket centuries by Mohammad Azharuddin]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

==External links==
*{{ESPNcricinfo|id=26329}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Krishnamachari Srikkanth]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Indian National Test Cricket Captains|Indian National Test Cricket Captain]]|years=1989/90 – 1996}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sachin Tendulkar]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Sachin Tendulkar]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Indian National Test Cricket Captains|Indian National Test Cricket Captain]]|years=1997/98 – 1998/99}}
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