Former India skipper and batsman Mohammed Azharuddin reckons he has the qualities to become a successful politician.

Azharuddin, who recently joined the Congress party, said he would focus on bringing about a change in the field of health care and education.

On whether he would hit sixes in politics as well, the former India skipper said, "I have not been known to hit many sixes but can hit them if they come in my way. I will have to work hard and maybe I can achieve more than I did in cricket." The right-handed middle-order batsman had a strong liking for Congress and had expressed his desire to join the party when he met senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily. He formally joined the Congress party on February 19.

On what brought him to politics, Azharuddin, who played 99 Tests and compiled 6215 runs for an average of 45.03, said he was swayed by the plight of the poor who struggle to get basic amenities like education and medical facilities.

"We are lacking in education and healthcare systems. So I feel that if I can bring a change, do something in that department, on those two things, I will feel very happy," Azhar told NDTV. Azhar said that he was pained to see that poor people were not getting the right type of education.

"I see people very closely, I do go to hospitals, visit them. It is very tough for the poor people to get into hospitals. It is the same with education. They don't get the right type of education.

"I see a lot of people, young people on the streets doing nothing, standing and whiling away the time," said the 47-year-old Azharuddin.