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The Rediff Cricket Interview / Mohammad Azharuddin

'If I want to do something for myself, I think I should be allowed to do that'

PART I: 'If I was aloof I wouldn't have been able to win so many games'

PART II: 'Everyone gets dropped from the side sometime or the other. That does not mean relationships get soured'

What has wife Sangeeta's contribution been to your success? How much have you changed since she came into your life?

Tremendous! She stood by me all the times. She helped me in every aspect of life. I haven't changed at all. I am still the same person I was. I don't think I will ever change. My basic nature is still the same.

What do you do besides cricket?

I watch a lot of television on National Geographic and Discovery Channels. I love watching wildlife programmes. Fashion and entertainment, football, tennis and basketball are my favourites. I watch different games and sports very closely. I don't watch just for the sake of it; I watch to learn.

When you started off you were a very simple, hassle-free guy...

(Interrupts) I am still very simple.

What's about your fetish for watches and designer labels?

I honestly believe that if I can afford it I will buy it. I work hard on the ground, I take a lot of crap from people, I give a lot of entertainment to the people and if I want to do something for myself, I think I should be allowed to do that.

That should not be taken as I am very flamboyant. If I like to dress well, I should. Look at the all footballers, they dress well. They earn so much. I have worked hard, I have slogged a lot. I thank everyone who prays for me.

Do your sons also play cricket? Don't you miss being with them?

Yeah, they do. They are still learning. Asad, the elder one, plays, but the younger one, Ayaz, is pretty shy and keeps to himself. Actually both of them are shy. Yes, I do miss them, but then what can you do? I am playing. I can't be with them and play at the same time. You have to sacrifice something.

How have you adapted yourself to the hectic lifestyle of Bombay after spending all your life in Hyderabad?

My lifestyle is still the same -- to take it easy. There has been no need for me to change. If I lived in England my lifestyle would still be the same. There is a lot of traffic in Bombay but you can't change your nature.

What are your memories of Hyderabad?

It's a beautiful city. At one time it was the richest city in the world. The richest man in the world came form Hyderabad once upon a time, the Nizam. I think the culture is very good. People are very helpful; even if they are busy they will come to help you. The city has a lot of culture, there are a lot of mannerisms and a lot of respect. People respect their elders, and that is very important.

Very early in your career you changed your batting grip after consulting with Zaheer Abbas. What exactly happened? And did it make a difference to your batting?

That was long ago. It was ten years ago. I was struggling for form and he himself came to me and asked me what was wrong. He asked me to try something new and it worked. My grip had changed on the handle. On the right hand it was almost round, so I was trying to hit the ball very hard and my timing was going for a toss. Also, when I was playing my shots on the leg-side my right hand was coming off. It really helped and I got three hundreds runs on that tour.

What kind of music do you listen to?

I used to listen to a lot of qawwalis and old songs. When I just came into the side I had this walkman and I used to listen to music all the time. But now I have lost it -- someone stole it from my bag. Then, after that, it has been 12 years since I bought a walkman. That was my favourite walkman; it had the graphic equalizer on it and it was pretty new -- not many people had it. I had bought it from Sharjah. I used to have a lot of cassettes in my bag all the time. My bag used to be heavy. Phil Collins is my favourite.

Which is my favourite song?

Kisi Raah Mein Kisi Mod Pe. I used to listen to that song very often because I was having a very tough time in Pakistan. Whenever I would get out (most of the times) I would come back and listen to that song. At least I was satisfied.

Who are your favourite sports icons?

Magic Johnson. I like people who help one an another. I don't say I hate, but I dislike individualists. Magic was one of them. He helped everyone score a basket. There were times when he could have scored the basket but he passed it to somebody. He was a towering figure. I also like Michael Jordan. He is an individualist but I love his game. Steffi Graf is another favourite of mine. Very good player. She has always had a lot of pressure but she has come out fighting. She has a lot of guts, the willingness to fight it out.

And amongst cricketers, who are your favourites?

Plenty, but Greg Chappel would easily stand out. Nobody can take his place in my list of favourites. Also Viv Richards, Vishwanath and Gavaskar. I like Greg for his class and style.

Who is the toughest bowler you have faced?

Wasim Akram. I have faced Sir Richard Hadlee and Marshall, but Akram is very tough. He is fast; you will get some lose balls but you will get some good ones as well. You can score against him but you can never be sure about him. You can't say that since I played him well in this over I will play him well in the next one as well. He might just get you.

Do you miss the fact that you can't go out onto the streets like the common man can? Has it been very difficult for you?

It does but I still go out and meet people on the streets. Sometimes it does affect you but people want to talk to you. It is not so difficult. I have learnt to live with it. And learnt it pretty early.

Photographs: Jewella C Miranda

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