Are the punishments right?

Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Test player Ajay Sharma have been banned from playing cricket for life after being found guilty of match-fixing.

But is a life ban the most suitable punishment?

What do you think?

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The former Indian captain, Azharuddin, will now be forgotten for being a gifted batsman with a glittering international career.

Azharuddin was one of India's greatest-ever batsmen, having scored 6,215 runs in 99 Tests and played in more than 300 one-day internationals.

Surely to be remembered only for match-fixing is punishment enough?

Azharuddin has received the same punishment as Hansie Cronje and Salim Malik.

Following the internal inquiry ordered by the BCCI a five-year playing ban was also imposed upon Test players Ajay Jadeja and Manoj Prabhakar.

So, are these decisions made by the BCCI right?

Or are they over-the-top?

What do you think?

Are the punishments right?

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They deserve this punishment and more for betraying the country and millions of patriotic people. What is the use of giving a life-ban as all the players concerned are veterans. It would have been much more appropriate if the board imposed some sort of criminal case or confiscation of these players' illegal properties. I should think about suing these tainted players as I've spent a lot of time spanning 16 years watching them 'cheat'.
Jahangeer K A, Singapore

Banning players for life is hardly going to deter the betting mafia from mischief, since it is far too powerful and relentless. Azhar's ban is a classic case of punishing the ball for breaking the pane. If one is to weigh the pleasure Azhar has given millions by his batting at numerous occasions against the feeling of betrayal due to the recent revelations, I feel a ban for life is a little too harsh punishment. The fact remains that he is still a better batsman than most in the Indian team, not to mention one of the fittest players too. It is everybody's loss, including Azhar.
Ninad, USA

banning him for life is not in proportion to his crime

  Sajeel Ahmed, USA

A lifeban on corrupt players is the most extreme punishment that can be handed out. Sure, we would miss out on one of the most exciting batsmen of all times by banning Azhar. A sad loss. But then these players would not have gone to the 'bookies' if they were paid well. Let us not get too idealistic about cricket trying to maintain its 'status quo' image.
SS, India

Yes, Azhar is a traitor. He should be punished; he not only betrayed the game but also the country by having connections with the underworld.
Jamine, USA

Living in the USA has given me a different perspective of allegations, guilt and conviction. Here in this country, Azhar and his fellow cricketers would be punished, only after hard evidence was brought against them and proven in front of a judge or a jury. The conviction would then carry weight and authority. In India, Azhar in particular and other cricketers in general have been convicted on the basis of allegations gathered against them by the CBI. The allegations have not been cross examined and challenged in a court of law. The allegations have been transcribed by Mr. Madhavan of CCBI as proof of guilt. The conviction is based on guilty by allegation, not guilty as proven.
Mohammad Imran, USA

It is very unfortunate that Azhar is involved in this mess. But banning him for life is not in proportion to his crime (if found guilty without a shadow of doubt). His contribution to the world of cricket is immense. He brought glory to India and made us feel proud. A less severe punishment is in order if he is found guilty.
Sajeel Ahmed, USA

I say, penalize him financially

  Nitin Malik, USA

As in any fraud case, I feel the punishment is too light; surely the guilty must be made to repay the illegitimate earnings, or a higher sum. They have the handicap of not playing their chosen game but it cannot be called the game they love as they have become mercenaries. They still have the money!
Ed Johnson, England

The decision to ban players is absolutely spot on. Only this can act as the best deterrent for the current players who will now think twice before bringing themselves and the game into disrepute.
Setu, UK

Anybody and everybody involved in fixing matches should at least be banned from playing; laws should also be made to it a criminal offence to do so since it actually amounts to a fraud on those who pay to watch the match. The bottom-line however is, that ALL those so involved should be similarily dealt with.
Anil Shukla, India

Denying Azhar the right to play is like denying a glutton an eighth course. What's the point? He made his big bucks, I say, penalize him financially. Being good at what you do doesn't put you above the law. I think Cronje, Malik and Azhar are a testament to this.
Nitin Malik, USA

I think Azhar is being made a scape goat for a lot of people

  Mohiuddin Ghouse, United Arab Emirates

A fallen hero. Definitely the most stylish Indian batsman one has ever seen. Who can forget his first three centuries in his test debut. We should respect and cherish his great cricketing years and also feel sad about his involvement in match fixing. As a great admirer and fan, we can forgive him in our mind.
PK, United Kingdom

It is unfortunate that Azhar is banned for life. There is more to it than meets the eye. Azhar has served the nation for more than 17 years of which he was the captain of the national team for 10 years. He holds many world records to his credit. While other players like Kapil got away with what they did, Azhar alone is made the scapegoat. This is in a country where corruption is so rampant, where highest public officials like ministers are involved in corruption. This is no reward for all the services Azhar has given to the country.
Kishore, USA

One single man cannot fix matches by himself.There is more to it than what is seen. I think Azhar is being made a scape goat for a lot of people.This issue needs to be investigated more deeply but are the authorities interested? I dont think so. A pity that such talent and acclaim should be so easily brushed aside.
Mohiuddin Ghouse, United Arab Emirates

The underlying question is, will punishment of the guilty players help cricket? May be it will but I have no confidence in the ICC or any of the governing boards of regional cricket. Cricket authorities are still those damm old imperial style bureaucracies with little or no professionalism in any of the board members. Their negligence is to blame for the players who have been fixing matches for years. Cricket needs a new look, a new face and a new approach. Maybe I am wrong but innocent until proven guilty should be the criteria here. I say to Kapil and Mongia, sue BCCI and the ICC for defamation.
Navaid, USA

Azhar's wristy batting style was a constant reminder of Indian cricket's Ranji legacy. He was one of the last great batsmen to use a light bat. And, as a fielder, he was not merely athletic but also stylish and he always behaved well on the field. Despite all of this, it's hard to deny that he ought to be banned, having been found guilty of match-fixing. Banning him would be consistent with the action taken against Cronje. As with Malik, a ban is not really heavy punishment, since Azhar's playing days are all but behind him.
Kishore, USA

Banning a player who is 37 years old has no meaning at all. Maybe they should look at taking what he earned and using that money to pay for the investigation and betterment of cricket in the country.
Chait, India

Putting an end to his profession may be a harsh decision

  Cheeka, Canada

Everyone does it so why bother trying to hang a man who got caught? It would be better if they didn't ban anyone at all. At the end of the day only the more talented guys can fix matches. It would be a shame if they could no longer play.
Ian, Aus

It is really very sad to see such a great cricketer being found guilty of match-fixing.In the interest of the game and for the nation, Azhar and all the other should be punished. The major issue as to whether he should get a life ban is a very difficult decision. For a player who has devoted himself for more than 15 years, putting an end to his profession may be a harsh decision. He should be fined and banned from international cricket. They should allow him to play in domestic cricket. Let this be the first step to save the game and filter out all bad elements surrounding the game.
Cheeka, Canada

Azhar has betrayed the whole nation by doing such a thing. He should be banned from cricket for life and prosecuted along with the others who are accused in the Madhavan report
Srinivasan Subramaniam, USA

Azhar should be banned as he has brought shame and turmoil to the game for his own benefit. For those reasons alone he should be banned from playing cricket ever again.
Charlie Ferritson, Ivory Coast

What is the point of all this when Azhar is past his prime?

  Ramesh, USA

As a person and player he comes across as a thoroughly nice guy. Unfortunately, if you have discredited any game in this way, you should be banned for life. After all, people are imprisoned for insider trading in securities, why should it not be the same for anyone who trades illegally in his own knowledge of how a game will be played. Should he not receive the ultimate punishment? This however, does not change the fact that most international cricketers are grossly underpaid.
NIck Wood, Thailand residing

It is good to see this happen but what about the others? I am sure that other players are getting away with it and a single person is being targeted.
Naeem, USA

What is the point of all this when Azhar is past his prime? What are we banning him from - playing umpiring, commentating or coaching? Surely if the allegations are true he should have more than he can earn by doing any of the above.
Ramesh, USA

It is really regretful that corruption, which seems to be an omnipresent issue in our life is trespassing into games as well. So, just banning a few players from the game will not help much. Rather, the ICC, BCCI and the various governmentsd should make a coordinated effort to take care of the root causes which involve many players both on and off the field. Otherwise, it will only be an half-hearted effort to tackle the corruption problems of the present day.
Sami Bagchi, Nigeria

Don't be gutless letting them off with a slap on the wrists, or cricket will suffer indefinitely from an untrustworthy reputation

  Kevin Smith, England

I think the ICC should decide what the punishment should be, to ensure consistency. At the moment some players are getting away with a fine while others are being banned. To answer the question, yes Azhar should be banned.
Ramana, UK

Yes, Anyone who (a) doesn't give their full commitment to the game and (b) doesn't play within the spirit of the game shouldn't make a living from it. It should be the same with Azhar as with Cronje and Salim Malik - ban them and keep them banned. Don't be gutless letting them off with a slap on the wrists, or cricket will suffer indefinitely from an untrustworthy reputation.
Kevin Smith, England

It is a great shame that so many people are having a free run at knocking down Azhar, almost certainly without the benefit of the true facts and hard evidence. Yes, he has been accused but so have been others !! What has happened to all the accusations against other players and officials? Anyone who has played a game itself no doubt knows and realises that it is impossible to fix a game without the help of the opposition and almost certainly impossible without the help of your own team mates. Yet no player has so far claimed that he has been asked by Azhar to perform poorly, neither has any umpire or official who may have officiated in these said matches. The other question is, did he really also have the true commitment of his team mates when he has been captain? (Sidhu walked out remember..!!)
Nazir, UK/India

We have always enjoyed Azhar's batting, so be generous and kind to him

  P. Barman, USA

The government of India should take the issue as a crime against the country and impose severe punishment on Azhar....including a jail term. Let it be a lesson to all those who betray the country for money!!!
Jeff Jacob, India

Why are we punishing Azhar? We do not do the same to politicians. We have always enjoyed Azhar's batting, so be generous and kind to him.
P. Barman, USA

Guilt should be punished severely, there is no escape. There is no point in let it go as it will be encouraged otherwise.
Anonymous, India

It is easy to punish and think that all is right...We need to be careful in pronouncing judgements on Azhar or any other player/official. If guilty, then a life ban is mandatory...but let us not lose sight of the fact that he is definitely not alone in this (if guilty), there are players/officials involved in this.
Ashu Tandon, India

Unlucky Azharuddin! What about the rest? I am convinced that there are more players involved in match-fixing. Not only in the game of cricket but other sports as well. Does the banning of Azharuddin sound as a warning to the rest of the players involved but not exposed out there? I do not think so. Nevertheless, let this episode be a lesson to be learned that even the noblest sport of all, cricket, can get in tantrums because of money! Who's next?
Andy, Malaysia

To me this is as big a crime as spying on your own country.

  Ari Sarker, India

Yes, he should be banned for bringing the sport into disrepute. If he fixed matches for self gain or for the gain of others then he should be fined the same amount as what he would have gained by fixing matches. This would send a very strong signal within the sporting fraternity that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
Dave Newman, England

Lots of people are just talking subjectively about this case when it should be seen objectively. The bottom line is that Azharuddin has been found guilty and should be punished appropriately. Lots of damage has been done to the game of cricket and the only way out is to punish severely all those found guilty of being indulged in the match-fixing.
Ijaz Samuel, Pakistan

It is absolutely imperative that he is not only banned but also that criminal charges are brought against him. For a country like India which is plagued with corruption it is important to make a statement when high profile people indulge in such anti-national activities. To me this is as big a crime as spying on your own country.
Ari Sarker, India

I do not agree with Junaid, Canada. What other evidence is needed, just look at the series of events. First Cronje said that Azhar introduced him to the bookie, the second day Azhar denied it and said something rubbish. When the CBI cornered him with evidence, he agreed that he did fix the matches and he only introduced the bookie to Cronje. Even the bookie admitted that Azhar introduced him to Cronje. A little bit of common sense is sufficient to stitch these events. I am very sorry for Azhar but at the end he has himself to blame. His greed for some easy money has thrown him to the abyss.
Palli, UK

He deserves the benefit of the doubt or an honourable exit.

  Joe Tafoya, England

He should be banned for life for playing with the emotions of the cricket crazy nation who considered him a national hero.
Paul, USA

Well, if you look at Azhar's track record it's no mean achievement. It's as good as it gets. To ban him for life would require concrete, hard-core proof. Other than that he deserves the benefit of the doubt or an honourable exit.
Joe Tafoya, England

There were allegations against lots of other players, including Kapil Dev. Whatever happened to those allegations? How come Azharuddin is being targeted?
Venky, USA

No doubt! Severe action should be taken against Azhar and others who are proven guilty but that alone will not solve the issue. We should address the real issue behind the match-fixing. People in the sub-continent are notoriously crazy about cricket and I think that is the main reason for all these unfortunate incidents. Governments should make sure that all other sports are promoted in the same way as cricket.
Srinivas Karri, India/USA

Just because Azhar couldn't win a World Cup it doesn't mean he should be framed and defamed

  Junaid, Canada

He should be banned for life and thoroughly investigated for income tax fraud. Obviously he is sitting on a lot of cash and should be penalised hard for that.
Chetan Shah, Canada

No, these conmen should not receive life bans. That's letting them get away with cheating the hopes and emotions of billions of people worldwide. The first thing for the ICC to do is erase their records. Secondly, the respective governments should try them and punish them according to the law of the land. However, I expect to see none of the above happening.
Rajeev Bishnoi, USA

Yes, Azhar is the worst cricket captain of all. Despite having such a glittering record, he is not a patriot and looked to cricket to amass wealth. He did well at the beginning just to prove himself but then revealed his real self when he knew he was guaranteed a job on the national cricket team. And this is the same person who tried to brush off allegations by claiming he was being harassed for being a minority!
Jon Martha, India

lt looks like a biased report to me; others have been left out and there's no mention of Kapil at all. Just because Azhar couldn't win a World Cup it doesn't mean he should be framed and defamed. Besides, there's no hard evidence found yet.
Junaid, Canada