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The bugle has blown, and the world's biggest democracy is ready to exercise its general elections in a couple of months' time. With over 900 million voters and 543 constituencies, Indian general elections are the biggest in the World.
Over the years many players have been conferred seats in Rajya Sabha (Upper House) of the Parliament viz. Sachin Tendulkar and Mary Kom. However, there have been players who took to public service and contested general elections after getting over with their sport.
Cricket is a sport which is followed very passionately in the sub-continent. Cricketers inspire many with their hard work and determination. In this segment, we will have a look at cricketers from India and other sub-continent countries who turned politicians in the second innings of their lives. Though some have failed miserably, some have tasted success in it.
#1 Imran Khan
No one has tasted success in politics like Imran Khan did. Khan is one of the finest all-rounders to have played the game. Once been the poster boy of Pakistan, Khan represented Pakistan in 88 Tests, and 175 ODIs. He led Pakistan to their maiden World Cup triumph in 1992.
After retiring from professional cricket, Khan founded a political party named Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf in 1996. After 22 years of constant struggle, Khan finally won the general elections in 2018 and became the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
#2 Arjuna Ranatunga
Arjuna Ranatunga is regarded highly for his leadership skills in cricket. He led Sri Lanka to its maiden World Cup title win in 1996. Amidst the civil war and non-illustrious image of cricket, Sri Lanka proved to be the underdogs for the 1996 World Cup. Ranatunga pioneered Sri Lanka to one of the prominent forces in world cricket.
After retiring from cricket, Ranatunga followed the footsteps of his father and joined Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He is currently the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.
#3 Navjot Singh Sidhu
Navjot Singh Sidhu was famous for his flamboyant batting style in cricket. Sidhu preferred hitting balls over the bowlers' heads. His ability to hit sixes frequently earned him the title of 'Sixer Sidhu'.
Sidhu is one of the finest orators in politics. He contested his first Parliamentary election in 2004 from Amritsar and held the seat till 2014. Sidhu got nominated for the Rajya Sabha in 2016. However, he resigned to join the Indian National Congress in 2017. He then contested assembly elections from Amritsar East and is currently, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in the state.
#4 Kirti Azad
Kirti Azad is the former Indian cricketer who represented the country in the 1980s. He was part of the Indian team that won the World Cup under Kapil Dev's captaincy. Azad represented India in 25 ODIs and 7 Tests.
Azad is the son of the former Chief Minister of Bihar - Bhagwat Jha Azad. After retiring from cricket, Azad followed his father's footsteps and contested Parliamentary elections on a BJP ticket from Darbangha, Bihar. However, in his third term of Lok Sabha, he quit the BJP to join INC in 2019.
#5 Mohammad Azharuddin
Mohammad Azharuddin is considered as one of the most successful captains of Indian Cricket. He has led India in three World Cups - in 1992, 1996, and 1999. Azharuddin was famous for his wristy elegance and went on to score over 9000 runs in ODIs and over 6000 runs in Tests for India.
His cricket career came to an abrupt end after getting implicated in a match-fixing scandal in 2000. He entered in politics in 2009 after winning the Parliamentary election from Moradabad on an INC ticket.
#6 Chetan Chauhan
Chetan Chauhan is a former Indian cricketer who used to play in the 1970s. He used to open the innings in Tests along with Sunil Gavaskar. Chauhan played for Delhi and Maharashtra in domestic cricket and has represented India in 40 Tests.
Chauhan entered politics in 1991. He was elected as a Member of the Parliament from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh twice. He is presently the Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports in Uttar Pradesh.
#7 Aamir Sohail
Aamir Sohail is Pakistan's former opening batsman. He was famous for his aggressive batting skills and played 156 ODIs and 47 Tests for Pakistan. The famous banter between Sohail and Ventakesh Prasad from the World Cup 1996 is still fresh in every 90s cricket fans mind.
Sohail served as the Chief selector for Pakistan and at various other cricket administrative positions before entering politics. He later joined former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif's party, Pakistan Muslim League, with a belief to bring change in society.
#8 Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif hails from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Kaif shot to fame after leading India to its maiden U-19 World Cup title win in 2000.
He was soon drafted into the national side. He was famous for pioneering high fielding standards and represented India in over 125 ODIs. He also led UP to its maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2005-06.
In 2014, he joined Indian National Congress and contested parliamentary election from Phulpur. However, he couldn't taste success and lost his maiden outing to BJP candidate Keshav Prasad Maurya.
#9 Vinod Kambli
Vinod Kambli was a child prodigy. He had shot to fame after his iconic unbeaten partnership with Sachin Tendulkar in a school tournament.
He is the only cricket to score three consecutive centuries in three innings against different nations. Moreover, he is the fastest Indian to reach 1000 runs in Tests.
Kambli joined the Lok Bharti Party and was appointed as the Vice-President of the party. He contested 2009 assembly elections from Vikhroli, Mumbai but lost the campaign.
#10 Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the most feared batsmen in world cricket. He revolutionized the batting in the mid-90s as no one else did. He is the only cricketer to score 10000 runs and pick 300 wickets in ODI cricket. He has a strike rate of 91 in ODIs and is third on the list of leading six-hitters in ODI cricket.
He retired from international cricket in 2011. However, he entered into politics in 2010 and is the only cricketer to have an active political career while representing his country in ODI cricket.
Jayasuriya was elected Member of Parliament from Matara district and served as the deputy Union Minister of Postal Services in the UPFA government led by Mahendra Rajapaksa.
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