Azhar made his debut against England at Bangalore on 20 January 1985. India's most successful captain in both Tests and One-day Internationals started his career in 1984-85 in a spectacular fashion, setting world record by scoring a century in each of his first three Tests. A dashing, wristy and elegant right-hand batsman, Azharuddin for many years has formed the backbone of the Indian middle order batting. His wristy flicks, glances and drives are a veritable feast for the eye, and once in the groove he can be utterly unstoppable. He is an outstanding player of spin and medium-pace bowling, although in the past questions have been raised about his abilities when the ball is banged in short at great speeds. He is also a top class fielder, possessing a safe pair of hands which pull off spectacular catches, tremendous pieces of ground fielding and many a run outs with his trademark flick-of-the-wrist returns from gully and backward point.

He bowled occasional brisk off-spinners in one-day cricket until a back strain. After losing the Indian captaincy in 1997, then unaccountably dropped from the national team, he returned to provide experience and class to a young and talented middle order and eventually was reinstated as captain in early 1998.