10 International Cricketers Who Joined Politics

There has always been a relationship between cricket and politics. We have seen in the past that Internationals players have gone on to join politics after their cricketing career. In fact, many current players also get associated with politics.

Meanwhile, we have also seen that these former cricketers and current players have gone to contest in the elections. Some have savoured success whereas some have not been able to get the wins in their second choice career.

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We take a look at ten International players who went on to join politics after their cricketing career.

10. Gautam Gambhir

India’s former southpaw batsman Gautam Gambhir went on to join Bhartiya Janta Party soon after his International retirement. Gambhir joined BJP on 22nd March 2019 and even contested Lok Sabha elections from East Delhi. The former left-hander also savoured success in his maiden innings as a politician.

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9. Imran Khan

Pakistan’s former skipper Imran Khan is one of the most famous cricket-turned politicians in the world. In fact, Imran Khan is currently serving Pakistan as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Imran Khan had inspired Pakistan to World Cup triumph in 1992 when Pakistan had entered the tournament as underdogs. Imran Khan won the most seats in the elections for his Tehreek-e-Insaf party in July 2018.

8. Mohammad Azharuddin

Mohammad Azharuddin was well known for his wristy shots during his cricketing career. The former Indian skipper joined Congress in 2009. The former right-handed batsman won the General Elections from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh to become the Member of Parliament.

However, the former Hyderabad batsman tasted defeat in the 2014 General Election from Moradabad. Azharuddin scored 9378 runs in his One-Day career in the 334 matches. Azhar also led India in 47 Test matches.

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7. Sanath Jayasuriya 

The former Sri Lankan batsman was known for his explosive shots. Jayasuriya was appointed as the Member of Parliament from Matara district for one complete term. The former southpaw batsman served as the Deputy Union Minister of postal services and later as the Deputy Union Minister of Local Government and Rural Development under the president.

6. Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu began his political career when he joined Bhartiya Janta Party in 2004. The former Indian opener also contested General Elections from Punjab. However, when BJP didn’t give him the ticket, he joined Congress. Sidhu had played 51 Test matches and 136 One Day matches for the India National Cricket Team. The former right-hander scored 4413 and amassed 3202 runs in the red ball version.

Read More: Ten Cricketers from Indian Origin who went on to Play Against India in International Cricket

5. Arjuna Ranatunga

Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning skipper began his second career in politics after calling it a day in International cricket. He became the MP from Gampaha consistency. He was appointed as Sri Lanka’s deputy minister of Tourism. Later in 2015, he took the post as the Minister of Ports and Shipping. Ranatunga had inspired Sri Lanka to 1996 World Cup glory. The southpaw batsman scored 5105 runs in his Test career and amassed 7456 runs in 269 One-Day matches he played.

4. Kirti Azad

India’s former all-rounder Kirti Azad joined Bhartiya Janta Party. He also savoured success from Bihar’s Darbhanga region on three occasions. Later in 2019, Kirti Azad joined hands with the Congress Party. Azad was the Member of Legislative Assembly in New Delhi’s Gole Market region. Meanwhile, Azad was part of the 1983 World Cup squad of the Indian team. The all-rounder featured in seven Test matches and 25 One Day Internationals for the Indian team.

3. Mashrafe Mortaza 

Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe Mortaza is one of the few active cricketers who are parallelly running their political career. Mortaza enjoyed a big win in the 11th General Elections of Bangladesh. In fact, Mortaza registered a big win as he received 2,74,418 votes. Meanwhile, Mashrafe Mortaza is currently leading Bangladesh in the ongoing World Cup. The medium pacer has scalped 265 wickets in the 211 One Day Internationals he has played.

2. Chetan Chauhan

Chetan Chauhan was the Member of Parliament from Amroha constituency in Uttar Pradesh on two occasions. After hanging his boots from International cricket, Chauhan joined BJP. He is currently the Minister of Youth and Sports in Uttar Pradesh. The former right-handed batsman scored 2084 runs in the 40 Test matches for India and opened the innings with great Sunil Gavaskar.

1. Nawab Pataudi

Nawab Pataudi became the first cricketer who landed his feet in the political career. The former Indian skipper who was known for his audacious game took part in two Lok Sabha elections. However, the Tiger didn’t achieve success in his political career. The former right-hander scored 2793 runs in the 46 Test matches he played for the Indian side. However, his cricketing career was cut short by the eye injury.