Azhar must now bank on court to redeem his lost pride

A quote by Gloria Gaither says "We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way." Probably the former Indian captain Mohd. Azharuddin has taken a cue from this wise quotation for he has finally decided to contest the life ban slapped on him by the BCCI in the court.

The 37-year-old player's decision, which was widely expected, was announced by his counsel and former Union Law Minister HR Bharadwaj in New Delhi on Wednesday. Bharadwaj said "He will move the court. But it is yet to be decided whether he will go to the Andhra Pradesh High Court or the district court there." He added that Azhar's legal advisors were working out the details.

In a related development, former players Ajay Jadeja and Manoj Prabhakar were contemplating to move the court to challenge the five year ban imposed on them. Talking to PTI in New Delhi, Prabhakar said that he would first appeal to the board against the five-year ban imposed on him, adding "If I fail to get justice there, I will knock at the court's door." Another Delhi player Ajay Sharma who has also been banned for life was unavailable for comment.

Earlier this month, after announcing the ban, the BCCI president AC Muthiah had said that he was on a firm wicket. Muthiah had stated that the players were free to appeal to the BCCI or any court of law. He added "I have taken legal opinion from some of the leading luminaries in the legal business and I am absolutely sure of our stand." He said that the decision was taken in accordance with the Board's Code of Conduct which forbade things like match fixing or having nexus with bookies. "These rules were violated by the players," he said.

Though the board has expressed confidence of their action against the players, there has been some speculation on the locus standi in the court of law on the ban imposed by the BCCI based on the report submitted by the CBI and the subsequent findings by the Madhavan committee. As far as Azharuddin is concerned, it's natural for him to appeal as it is the only recourse left for him to regain his lost glory and his now lost friends.

For a man who has always believed in destiny, Azhar now has to keep his fingers crossed for a favourable verdict. Though he may not be recalled into the national side, he can at least try to regain some of his fans and friends. A quote by an unknown author holds good in his present case for it says "Seasons change, friends move away, and life goes on from day to day. Flowers fade and streams go dry and many times we wonder why. Yet we can always be assured because God tells us in His Word, that unlike changes in the weather, love goes on and lasts forever!"