General News: Why Azhar Always Had His Collar Up While Playing

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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

[Image: mohammad-azharuddin-old-.jpg?downsize=76...format=jpg]
Mohammad Azharuddin was India's one of the most successful yet controversial captains.
AFP
Highlights

• 1Azhar reveals why he always had his collar up
  
• 2Azhar now has a film named after him
  
• 3Azhar 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.

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