Sep 6, 2024
By: Prerna Tyagi
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja recently made headlines by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His wife, Rivaba Jadeja is a BJP MLA from Gujarat's Jamnagar North constituency.
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan is perhaps the most notable cricketer-turned-politician. He became the Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2018, after leading the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party for years.
Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian cricket team, joined the BJP in 2019. He served as a Member of Parliament in the 17th Lok Sabha from 2019 to 2024, before stepping away from politics to dedicate himself fully to his duties as head coach.
Former India cricketer and World Cup winner Yusuf Pathan retired from competitive cricket in 2021. He contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a TMC candidate from the Baharampur constituency in West Bengal and won by a huge margin.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, a former Indian cricketer, ventured into politics after he joined the BJP in 2004. In 2017, he switched parties to the Indian National Congress He has been a member of both the BJP and Congress, and his political career has been marked by several high-profile roles in Punjab.
Sri Lankan cricket legend Arjuna Ranatunga captained Sri Lanka to its first World Cup win in 1996. He transitioned into politics and has held several ministerial positions in Sri Lanka.
Another Sri Lankan great, Sanath Jayasuriya, took to politics after his illustrious cricket career. He served as a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and was also involved in the country’s sports development.
Former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin joined the Congress party after his cricketing career. He has served as a Member of Parliament from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh from 2009 to 2014.
Harbhajan Singh is widely regarded as one of the greatest off-spin bowlers of all time. In 2022, joined the Aam Aadmi Party, and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Aam Aadmi Party from Punjab.