Azharuddin, back to front

And, despite his superstar status, the Indian cricket captain has the patience and poise to entertain every telephone and door-bell ring, not to mention numerous requests for passes. “Whatever I am today, it is because of these people. How can I let them down?” he asks.

Strongly criticised after a rather lacklustre performance in the Carribeans last year, Azhar has bounced back with a vengeance. When the mantle of captaincy was handed back to him it was said to be `one stepforward, two steps backward’. Today, critics have been forced to eat a humble pie, as a more assertive Azhar has moulded the team back into a winning combination.

“I think the team has shaped up quite well. The most encouraging thing is that the youngsters have been playing their roles accordingly. We have a bright future and the team has the potential to peak at the right moment (next year’s World Cup),” he feels.

About his own batting he said that he felt nice to be among runs, more importantly when those runs are adding upto India’s victories.

“As I said, I am really enjoying myself. Let’s hope this continues.” Azhar felt that it was very important to identify a pool of cricketers for the World Cup. “We have ample time on our side. We should not get carried away by our wins. Past is past and we must take it tournament by tournament, tour by tour. We have to maintain a winning streak as the line dividing international sides is very thin nowadays,” he emphasised. “See the competition within theteam. Take Uttar Pradesh for example. They are the Ranji Trophy runners-up this time, but their players have failed to find places in this side. The selectors have taken a note of the performances of players like Ubaid Kamal and Mohammad Saif. They look good and young and if they continue like this, of course, they will get their chances but it augurs well for Indian cricket if there is competition like this for the places. Everybody has to be on his toes and treat each game as a trial,” he said with a certain degree of involvement in his voice.

Azhar also felt, albeit reluctantly, that it was tough playing in this heat but “we should have no complaints as long as we are doing well. Tournaments like these will help the youngsters carve out a niche for themselves.”

Azhar, will be missing the remaining league matches of this three-nation tourney and return only for the final as he is to attend the ICC’s captains’ meeting in London on May 18. “I have some suggestions to offer which I will unfold only inthe meeting.”

What does future hold for Azhar? “That ad (Pepsi) is just a promo. I hope to continue for another two three years, provided I keep myself fit,” he says, packing his bags for the side’s inaugural game against Bangladesh. And knowing Azhar’s penchant for fitness, that should not be a problem.