Kirti Azad

Kirtivardhan Bhagwat Jha Azad  pronunciation  (born 2 January 1959, Purnea, Bihar) is a former Indian cricketer and politician who played in 7 Tests and 25 ODIs from 1980 to 1986.

Azad is the son of former Chief Minister of Bihar Bhagwat Jha Azad. He was an aggressive right-hand batsman and a quickish offspinner. A surprise choice for the tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1980-81, he made his Test debut at Wellington. The highlight of his career was being part of the Indian team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup.

He is currently serving his third term in the Lok Sabha. He won the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections from Darbhanga.

Domestic career

He attended Modern School in Delhi where he was part of the school cricket team. Azad, a nonconformist in many ways, was a stalwart allrounder for Delhi for years and in 95 Ranji Trophy matches he scored 4867 runs (47.72) and took 162 wickets (28.91). His highest score was 215 against Himachal Pradesh in 1985-86.

International career

He was a surprise choice for the tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1980-81, he made his Test debut at Wellington. He then played three Tests without much success against England in 1981-82 and was then ignored till he was picked for the World Cup in 1983. Azad had his day in the sun when he played a leading part in India winning the semi-final against England, when he helped bottle up the middle order with his fastish off=breaks and earned a bonus while bowling the dangerous Ian Botham.