Gautam Gambhir has expressed his disappointment at former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin being allowed to ring the bell at the start of the first T20I between India and West Indies on Sunday. He slammed BCCI, Committee of Administrators (CoA) governing the cricket body and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for the gesture towards a tainted cricketer.
Azharuddin, the craftsy batsmen, who played 99 Tests and 334 One-Day Internationals for India was banned by the BCCI for his involvement in the 2000 match-fixing scandal. The ban was, however, lifted in 2012 by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which termed the punishment ‘unsustainable’.
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“India may have won today at Eden but I am sorry @bcci, CoA &CAB lost. Looks like the No Tolerance Policy against Corrupt takes a leave on Sundays! I know he was allowed to contest HCA polls but then this is shocking….The bell is ringing, hope the powers that be are listening,” wrote Gambhir on Azhar ringing the bell.
Ever since his ban was suspended, Azhar has tried to take up administrative duties in cricket. His first attempt to contest the Hyderabad Cricket Association elections met dismal fate as the board rejected his application citing lack of clarity on the status of his ban. However, earlier this year, the BCCI allowed him to contest the polls and also clarified he was no longer prohibited from holding any position in the BCCI, ICC or any other affiliate bodies.
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Azhar has a special association and many moments of glory with the Eden Gardens where he guided India to the famous Hero Cup victory in 1993. Gambhir also shares a special bond with Kolkata and Eden Gardens; he led the Kolkata Knight Riders for seven years in the IPL winning two trophies. President of the CAB Sourav Ganguly made his international debut under Azharuddin’s captaincy in 1992.
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