Kirti Azad Biography 
Kirti Azad is an Indian politician and former cricketer. He was a team member of 1983 Cricket World Cup Finals, which India won the maiden World Cup. An all-rounder for his team he played as a right handed batsman and off-spinner. A prominent politician associated with Bharatiya Janata Party, he is the son of former chief minister of Bihar Bhagwat Jha Azad. He is a three-time parliamentarian and is currently a serving MP representing Darbhanga constituency.
His full name is Kirtivardhan Bhagwat Jha Azad. He was born on 2 January 1959 in Purnea, Bihar. He schooled at Modern School in Delhi. Since then he was associated with the game of cricket and also played for his school matches. He played first class cricket for Delhi and known for his outstanding contributions for his team in the Ranji matches. He played 95 Ranji matches for team Delhi and as an all-rounder scored 4867 runs and took 162 wickets. His score also includes one double century.
He played his first international match in the 1980-1981season, when he was a ‘surprise’ selection for the tour of Australia and New Zealand. His early innings were not so great. But he earned recognition after playing 1983 World cup, which popularized the game in India. He played a match winning innings at semi-finals against England which brought him to spotlight. But he was out on a duck in the finals and bowled three overs giving seven runs, without any wickets. After World Cup, all its team winners were given a heroic welcome by the homeland.
Following his father’s steps, following his retirement from cricket he too joined politics. He is representing Darbhanga, Bihar in the Lok sabha for three terms. He retired from international cricket in 1986. On 23rd December 2015 he got suspended from BJP for his bad remarks against Union finance minister Arun Jaitley.
Published: N/A
Updated: May 05, 2016
