Former captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who was banned for life in 2000 following his indictment in the match-fixing scandal, figures in a list of prominent cricketers and officials to be honoured at a Board of Control for Cricket in India function next month.
Azharuddin played 99 Tests and 334 one-day internationals, and led the country in three World Cups.
The function in Mumbai on November 4 will mark the opening of the new Board headquarters; India's past and current captains are among the honored invitees.
The invitation extended to Azharuddin is raising eyebrows, given the Board had banned him for life -- a sentence that includes all cricketing activities including playing, coaching or assuming an official position. Earlier, the ICC had protested when he made a brief return to cricket as commentator for a news channel for the 2004 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.
Do you agree with the Board's softening towards the former star? If so, why? Or do you believe Azhar deserves to be kept out in the cold? Again, why? Tell us your thoughts, on an issue that threatens to snowball in the days to come.
