Azharuddin wants Cheteshwar Pujara to play County cricket

"I would like those who are not playing IPL, especially Pujara, to go and play county cricket in England," Azharuddin told reporters. "It will help him when he tours England or other places where the ball moves around and also bounces."

India are scheduled to tour South Africa, England and Australia in 2018-19.

Azharuddin backed the players who are missing the IPL season due to injuries. "If they are not fit then there's no need for them to play instead of playing and suddenly going to play for the country finding themselves not fit. Everyone should know their fitness levels," he said.

The Hyderabadi seconded former captain Sourav Ganguly's views that Virat Kohli's display of emotions had affected his batting in the recent Australia Test series. "I tend to agree (with Ganguly) but that's how he plays the game," he said.

Azharuddin also expressed his disappointment over the election procedure in the Hyderabad Cricket Association. MP G Vivekanand was elected President after he won with 136 votes while his competitor could muster only 69 votes.

The former batsman's bid to contest for President was rejected by the returning officer K Rajiv Reddy. "It's very disappointing, although I totally respect the decision of the court. But my professional feeling is that when the election was held, no (Justice) Lodha(panel) recommendations were followed," he said.