Can there have been a more glorious entry to Test cricket, and more humiliating exit?

Azhar announced himself with a century on his debut, in India's third against England at Calcutta in December 1984.

Just in case there were still any doubters that this gangly, buck-toothed 21-year-old possessed a rare - possibly unique - batting genius, he repeated the trick in the fourth Test… and then again in the fifth.

Even England supporters were spellbound - and they remained so as he amassed 1,278 runs against their team at 58.09, including six centuries, over his career.

The first of two hundreds on the 1990 tour was perhaps his most magical - 121 at Lord's at quicker than a run-a-ball in response to Graham Gooch's 333.

One of India's most successful captains with 14 wins, all but one at home, in 47 matches, he was however sacked in 1997 and soon after lost his place.