Cricketers Turned Politicians: Joining politics for a popular face is a common sight. That’s is why we see actors, artists and even cricketers take chance to cash in their public appeal to gather votes of the fans. Many personalities, therefore, jump in politics and some go on to win seats in the parliament. While some join the politics by contesting the elections, some give their image to their abides to gather people by campaigning for them.
We have listed five such cricketers who went on to continue with politics after their cricketing career.
1) Gautam Gambhir
Former Indian opener and world cup hero for India’s win in 2007 and 2011 Gautam Gambhir became the recent cricketer to take politics when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on March 22, 2019. After having a splendid career for India, Gautam Gambhir contested from Delhi in the 2019 election and won. Gautam Gambhir played 58 Tests, 147 One-Day Internationals and 37 T-20s for India scoring over 10 thousand runs. Since he has got the seat, he has worked deeply in the field of sports facilities in Delhi.
2) Navjot Singh Sidhu
Navjot Singh Sidhu who is a known face in every household is known for his quirky statements and as a judge in a leading comedy show on television. A minister in Punjab government, Navjot Singh Sidhu started his political career by contesting the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 on a BJP ticket, Navjot Singh Sidhu who featured in 51 Tests and 136 ODIs for India, has donned several hats in his political career. In 2014, the BJP denied him a ticket and gave the seat to the party’s key strategist Arun Jaitley. In 2016, he was given the Rajya Sabha ticket but he declined.
3) Mohamad Azharuddin
The flamboyant Hyderabadi batsman Mohammad Azharuddin began his political innings in 2009 when he joined Congress. Azhar won the general elections in 2009 from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh to become a Member of Parliament. The former India captain was, however, routed in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Moradabad constituency. Azharuddin was an elegant middle-order batsman and led the Indian team in 47 Tests during the 1990s. He has disclosed his intention to contest the 2019 elections from Secunderabad parliamentary constituency in Telangana.
4) Kirti Azad
The former all-rounder Kirti Azad, who was part of the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, represented the BJP and won from Bihar’s Darbhanga constituency thrice. In February 2019, he joined the Congress. Son of former Chief Minister of Bihar Bhagwat Jha Azad, Kirti Azad was an aggressive right-hand batsman and an off-spinner. He was previously an MLA from Delhi’s Gole Market constituency.
5) Chetan Chauhan
Chetan Chauhan, who was Sunil Gavaskar’s opening partner in Tests, has twice been a Member of Parliament from Amroha constituency in Uttar Pradesh. After his cricket career finished in 1981 he moved into politics, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is serving as Minister for Youth and Sports in Uttar Pradesh.
to know more continue on Talepost for similar articles like Cricketers Turned Politicians and for updates visit our Facebook.