Azharuddin 163* vs SA at Kanpur

[Lurker]

To all those who are bringing 90's of India belong to a particular batsman in this thread just for your knowledge in the actual 90's i.e. from 1st Jan 1990 and 31 Dec 1999 the best batsman of India had average of 58 and second best batsman ie Azhar had an average of 44 in Test cricket. Difference of 14 I guess this statistics should be sufficient to all who think that its exaggeration when we say 90's was the decade of a particular Indian Batsman. Coincidentally his stats was better than any batsman of the world. Be it Lara or Waugh or Inzi.

Doubt anyone says any differently. The way I look at it, and holds true for most Sachin "critics" (I prefer neutral observer), is that 90s were the best years of Sachin, and in many case the best years to be an Indian cricket fan to see many stellar individual accomplishment from Sachin. That said, we also had other batsmen who were quite capable, and in some ways more of an eye candy. Azhar's record of mid 40s is not bad at all, it is the benchmark of extremely good batsman. combine that with his LOI record, his brilliant fielding and a pretty decent skipper record and you have to tip your hat to him. I suppose the gripe of me, and many others, is when 90s is portrayed as an absolute trash period where one man waged lone battle. That was hardly the case, specially at home.

[Khalpat]

Not true.Dravid and even Ganguly averaged 50 in the 90's.

For getting counted to be a batsman of decade atleast you will have to play half of the decade right?

[Khalpat]

Doubt anyone says any differently. The way I look at it, and holds true for most Sachin "critics" (I prefer neutral observer), is that 90s were the best years of Sachin, and in many case the best years to be an Indian cricket fan to see many stellar individual accomplishment from Sachin. That said, we also had other batsmen who were quite capable, and in some ways more of an eye candy. Azhar's record of mid 40s is not bad at all, it is the benchmark of extremely good batsman. combine that with his LOI record, his brilliant fielding and a pretty decent skipper record and you have to tip your hat to him. I suppose the gripe of me, and many others, is when 90s is portrayed as an absolute trash period where one man waged lone battle. That was hardly the case, specially at home.

That's right and Azhar was one of the best batsman of the decade. He would have been talked about and would have much more fan if that fixing thing would nt have happened. I still remember his Lords inning of 160 odd runs when many critics of that time said it was the best inning played by any Indian. During early 90's Indian batting depended on him much more than Sachin also, Azhar for a good part of 90's was number one batsman of India. Despite being a wristy player he was very good offside player. Sushil Doshi once said" Azharudin ki kalaiyan ball bearing ki tarah chalti hain." But still he is not remembered and not talked about and rightly so. We are cricket fan and will never pardon any body who brings bad name to this great game. Their is a difference between us and our neighbours, let's always maintain that difference.

[pensionplan]

Azhar's record of mid 40s is not bad at all, it is the benchmark of extremely good batsman. combine that with his LOI record, his brilliant fielding and a pretty decent skipper record and you have to tip your hat to him.

In the history of Indian cricket Azza along with Kaps got to be the most natural cricketers. Keep aside his graceful batting, people used to long to see Azhar field and send in those pinpoint throws right on the stumps from the outfield back in the day.

I suppose the gripe of me, and many others, is when 90s is portrayed as an absolute trash period where one man waged lone battle. That was hardly the case, specially at home.

That portrayal is utter trash. Makes no cricketing sense whatsoever.