<p>Mohammad Azharuddin is also thrilled that Test cricket is back in Hyderabad after 22 years. The last time a Test was played in Hyderabad, at the Lal Bahadur stadium in December 1988, was when Dilip Vengsarkar-led India crushed John Wright’s New Zealand by ten wickets.<br /><br />“He is batting like a dream, isn’t he,” Azhar said of Laxman, then shifted focus to Test cricket and Hyderabad.<br /><br />“I have fond memories of that Test against New Zealand,” the former Indian skipper told Deccan Herald. “The FMC (Fateh Maidan Club, as the LB stadium is also known, especially to old-timers) was one of my favourite venues. You used to get a positive feeling the moment you stepped out into the middle.<br /><br />“You could say I am biased in favour of the FMC. As a schoolboy, I used to train there. I played most of my cricket, growing up, at that ground. I used to play for Deccan Blues, and it was great to watch all the bank teams practice there. There was so much to learn from watching some truly talented players – people like Khalid Abdul Qayyum, Chandran and Shivlal Yadav.”<br /><br />Azhar then reflected on his experience of playing Test cricket at the LB stadium. “I have played quite a few one-dayers there, but nothing can beat the atmosphere of a Test match in 1988,” he went on.<br /><br />“You always want to play in front of your own people, the ones that have nurtured you and have been with you every step of the way. There was a buzz that was unique to Hyderabad. In some ways, I consider myself unfortunate to have played only one Test here, and I feel disappointed that I could not score a century in front of my people. But I was very happy I made 81, and that India went on to win the match.”<br /><br />The Member of Parliament is unlikely to make it to the city of his birth to herald the return of Test cricket. “I am not sure,” he said, then went on, “but I hope this is the beginning of a new era for Hyderabad cricket. What happened last week was truly unfortunate.” He was, of course, referring to Hyderabad being bundled out for 21 in a Ranji Trophy match by Rajasthan.<br /><br />“There is plenty of talent in Hyderabad, and I see no reason why we can’t return to our glory days,” Azhar observed. “But we need an overhaul of the system. There is plenty of money coming in, the facilities are great. But we need to identify talent, and persist with that talent. That’s crucial. Hopefully, a Test match in Hyderabad will trigger more interest in cricket in the city; crucially, though, only the talented ones must figure in the team; on that, there can be no compromise.”<br /></p>
<p>Mohammad Azharuddin is also thrilled that Test cricket is back in Hyderabad after 22 years. The last time a Test was played in Hyderabad, at the Lal Bahadur stadium in December 1988, was when Dilip Vengsarkar-led India crushed John Wright’s New Zealand by ten wickets.<br /><br />“He is batting like a dream, isn’t he,” Azhar said of Laxman, then shifted focus to Test cricket and Hyderabad.<br /><br />“I have fond memories of that Test against New Zealand,” the former Indian skipper told Deccan Herald. “The FMC (Fateh Maidan Club, as the LB stadium is also known, especially to old-timers) was one of my favourite venues. You used to get a positive feeling the moment you stepped out into the middle.<br /><br />“You could say I am biased in favour of the FMC. As a schoolboy, I used to train there. I played most of my cricket, growing up, at that ground. I used to play for Deccan Blues, and it was great to watch all the bank teams practice there. There was so much to learn from watching some truly talented players – people like Khalid Abdul Qayyum, Chandran and Shivlal Yadav.”<br /><br />Azhar then reflected on his experience of playing Test cricket at the LB stadium. “I have played quite a few one-dayers there, but nothing can beat the atmosphere of a Test match in 1988,” he went on.<br /><br />“You always want to play in front of your own people, the ones that have nurtured you and have been with you every step of the way. There was a buzz that was unique to Hyderabad. In some ways, I consider myself unfortunate to have played only one Test here, and I feel disappointed that I could not score a century in front of my people. But I was very happy I made 81, and that India went on to win the match.”<br /><br />The Member of Parliament is unlikely to make it to the city of his birth to herald the return of Test cricket. “I am not sure,” he said, then went on, “but I hope this is the beginning of a new era for Hyderabad cricket. What happened last week was truly unfortunate.” He was, of course, referring to Hyderabad being bundled out for 21 in a Ranji Trophy match by Rajasthan.<br /><br />“There is plenty of talent in Hyderabad, and I see no reason why we can’t return to our glory days,” Azhar observed. “But we need an overhaul of the system. There is plenty of money coming in, the facilities are great. But we need to identify talent, and persist with that talent. That’s crucial. Hopefully, a Test match in Hyderabad will trigger more interest in cricket in the city; crucially, though, only the talented ones must figure in the team; on that, there can be no compromise.”<br /></p>
