He was a surprise choice for the tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1980–81, making his Test debut at Wellington.

Though full of potential, he couldn't take his domestic performance to the international level, scoring only 135 test runs and 269 in one-days.

[9] He fought general election from Dhanbad Lok Sabha constituency for 2019 representing Indian National Congress, against BJP candidate Pashupati Nath Singh and lost it with a margin of 4.8 lakhs.

In November 2021, Azad joined the All India Trinamool Congress ahead of the 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly election and said that he will work under Mamata Banerjee till retirement from politics.

[10] Since 5 March 2022, he has also been the State In-charge of the All India Trinamool Congress in Goa, succeeding Mahua Moitra.

[11] Azad was married to Poonam, who was a politician and a member of Aam Aadmi Party, and later Indian National Congress.

Following a 2012 sting operation on players of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Azad came out in opposition of the tournament and demanded that it be banned.

The 2021 Indian film 83, which is based on India's World Cup win, featured Dinker Sharma portraying Azad's character.