From the moment Hansie Cronje named Md Azharuddin as the person who
introduced him to a bookie in his testimony before the King Commission
on Thursday, the reaction in India was along predictable lines. Shock
and disbelief. Why did he do it? Did he really do it? What happens
now? Will he play for India again? The questions came fast and thick
after the fact that Cronje had involved Azharuddin neck deep in the
match fixing scandal sunk in. The reactions ranged from "I have had
this feeling that the Indian players were involved for a long time"
(Bishen Bedi) to "Azhar will not stoop down to that level"
(Kanwaljit Singh).
The new central character was himself quick to deny the charges. "It
is a pre-planned conspiracy to retaliate and counter attack by the
South African authorities after the Indian government allowed the
Delhi police to expose their captain in the match fixing scandal. I
treat these comments with contempt. Let the South Africans come clean
first and then pass comments on others. I don't know who is Mukesh
Gupta. I am not a cheap cricketer to get involved in such things. I
will never sell my country like Cronje has done. I am innocent and I
am ready to face any longer investigation that might be initiated by
the Indian Cricket Board. I will fight to clear my name. I have seen a
lot of crises in my career and have always come out stronger."
But the 37-year-old former Indian captain received a checkmate of
sorts when the Union Sports Minister SS Dhindsa said that Azharuddin
should on his own stay out of the Indian team till he is cleared of
the "serious allegations" levelled against him by Cronje. However
Dhindsa was quick to add "I am not saying this is true" and replied
in the negative when asked whether he would direct the BCCI to take
action against Azharuddin if he did not opt out of the team.
And BCCI president AC Muthiah did not exactly rush to Azhar's defence.
He said the CBI was already investigating the match fixing
allegations. "I have no doubt they will get to the bottom of the
matter. I am sure the CBI is already aware of the statements made by
Ali Bacher and his relationship with an Indian bookie."
National selection committee chairman Chandu Borde said that Cronje's
charge needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. "How can you trust
Cronje who has been making contradictory statements. One moment he
says one thing, the next moment another," and added that it would not
be proper to hold anyone guilty unless the allegations were proved. He
was also of the view that it was not proper to stop Azhar from playing
merely on the basis of allegations.
Asked for his reaction, Manoj Prabhakar said "bookies normally do not
give you their real names. They keep changing names to confuse you and
others. Refusing to say directly whether he knew `MK', Prabhakar said
"I will reveal evrything to the CBI if they ask me." Former Indian
captain Bishen Bedi said "We should expedite the whole matter. The
Board should now take notice of it. It's very sad that we have to rely
on foreigners to enlighten us what is happening in Indian cricket. I
have had this feeling (Indian players' involvement) for a long time.
The functioning of the King Commission also came in for praise by
former Indian cricketers. Kirti Azad, a member of the 1983 World Cup
winning squad and a Member of Parliament was of the view that the
South African Commission was doing a great job. "Believe me, they
have done a superb job. The only thing I can say about Hansie Cronje
is that he is honest in his dishonesty. The scene is getting murkier
and murkier day by day. The Board should take immediate action,
whoever is involved." He however did not agree that the entire
episode will affect the game. "The game is greater than a few
individuals" he said.
Former Indian medium pacer Atul Wassan also praised the work of the
King Commission. "The South African Commision is doing a tremendous
job. We should follow their example. Whatever is happening is damaging
not only for Indian cricket, but also for the game." Regarding Hansie
Cronje's testimony, Wassan said "He must have thought over it, for he
knows that he has to prove his allegations."
Predictably enough, Azharuddin received the most support in his home
town of Hyderabad.
PR Man Singh, manager of the 1983 World Cup team, condemned Hansie
Cronje's allegations. "I don't believe what Hansie Cronje says. He
himself said earlier that he had lied to the South African Board about
his involvement in the match-fixing. What is the guarantee that he is
telling the truth now. Tomorrow he may say again that he lied. Nobody
should take cognisance of what he is saying," said Man Singh. "I
know Azhar since his childhood. He will not involve himself in
something that brings disrepute to the country. It has become a
fashion these days to blame others. See how Majid Khan backed out when
asked to substantiate his accusation that the India-Pakistan and
Pakistan-Bangladesh World Cup matches were fixed. I sincerely feel
Azhar's name has been dragged in with ulterior motives," he said.
While Shivlal Yadav, former India off spinner and secretary of the
Hyderabad Cricket Association, refused to comment on the issue, saying
"let the law take its own course," Kanwaljit Singh, Hyderabad'
highest wicket taker in the Ranji Trophy and a friend of Azharuddin
was more forthright. "Cronje's testimony is only an accusation. Azhar
won't stoop down to that level," said Kanwaljit.