May 6, 2012
Bangalore: Several cricketers have explored various careers after their retirement. Few turned commentators, few selectors and few even actors! Here we take a look at all those cricketers who turned to politics after their exit from the cricketing world.
Mohammad Azharuddin
May 6, 2012
Bangalore: Several cricketers have explored various careers after their retirement. Few turned commentators, few selectors and few even actors! Here we take a look at all those cricketers who turned to politics after their exit from the cricketing world.
Mohammad Azharuddin
Former captain of India, Mohammad Azharuddin, played his first International cricket match against England on December 1984. He scored three hundreds in his first three tests, a remarkable feat for such a young batsman. His characteristic ‘wrist-flick’ batting style was widely acclaimed. Noted cricket-writer John Woodcock had once said, "It's no use asking an Englishman to bat like Mohammad Azharuddin. For, it would be like expecting a greyhound to win the London Derby!"
After falling from grace over the match-fixing scandal, he joined politics. He joined Indian National Congress on February 2009. He turned out to be one of the few successful cricketer-turned-politicians. He was quoted as saying “I am happy to join the Congress but I cannot decide from where I will contest the elections as now I am not the captain. I am here to help the Congress and I have to do good work for the people and for the party.” He eventually contested from Moradabad in western Uttar Pradesh. He won the election by defeating his rival by a huge margin.
Vinod kambli
At the time he made his debut, Vinod kambli was exalted as one of the most talented batsmen in the history of Indian cricket. He was even rated above his childhood friend and cricketing legend, Sachin Tendulkar. But fate played a cruel game on him and he ended up playing his last test match when he was just 24. Although he formally announced his retirement from first class cricket last year, he has been out of cricketing action for a long time now.
He joined politics in 2009, contesting for Vidhan Sabha election from his home town, Mumbai. He was contesting on a Lok Bharati Party ticket of which he is the vice president. He lost the election. However, he has not forgotten his obligation towards the people. He continues to do social work.
He may or may not ever be a successful politician, but he will surely be remembered for the unbroken 664 run partnership he shared with his childhood friend, Sachin Tendulkar while representing his school in a national school competition when he was just 17 years old.
Navjot Singh Sidhu
He has come to be known as a cricket commentator more than a cricket player or a politician. He is one of those public figures whom you either love or hate but certainly not ignore. His funny one-liners have come to be known as the ‘sidhuisms’. It’s not that he had a dull cricketing career. He has played more than 50 Test and 100 ODIs matches, scoring over 7,000 international runs with over 27 centuries to his credit.
This Indian opener turned commentator, entered active politics in 2004. He won the Lok Sabha election on a BJP ticket. He was asked to resign after being convicted of culpable homicide. The Supreme Court, however, stayed his conviction and he once again contested the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat. He won by a huge margin of 77,626 effectively demolishing his rival, Surinder Singla.
Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi
After losing his right eye to an accident, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, a batting prodigy, started learning to play the game he loved, with one eye. At the age of 16, he made his first-class debut for Sussex. Eventually, he went on to become one of the finest captains of India. He played close to 46 Test matches, scoring close to 2,793 runs. Among his victories as the captain, include India's first ever Test match win overseas.
As a politician, though, he was not just as successful. In 1991, Pataudi contested from Bhopal on a Congress party ticket and lost. He had earlier contested from Gurgaon on Vishal Haryana Party ticket and had lost.
Imran Khan
At the age of 16, Imran Khan made his first-class cricket debut. He made his International Test cricket debut against England in 1971. Khan enjoyed a stellar cricketing career. He holds the record for being the second fastest in achieving the ‘all rounder’s triple’ (securing 3000 runs and 300 wickets). In 1982, he became the captain of Pakistan. As the captain, he led his country to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup.
In 1996, Khan founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a political party which endorsed anti-corruption policies. So far, the party has not had much success. However, the dynamic cricketer turned politician is still active in politics and sure has a long way to go.
Chetan Chauhan
Chetan Chauhan played his first Test cricket match in 1969 against New Zealand in Mumbai. He scored 2084 runs in his career. In 1981 he was given the prestigious Arjuna award. After, the end of his cricketing career, he turned to politics. He joined BJP and was member of the Parliament from Amroha both in 1991 and 1998. Although he lost the elections from the same constituency in ’96, ’99 and 2004, he is still active in politics and may find success in his political-career as well.
Arjuna Ranatunga
In 1981, Arjuna Ranatunga made his first- class debut at the age of eighteen. In 1982, he played in Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test match. To this day, he remains the only cricketer in the history of cricket to have played a country’s first test and the 100th test. As Captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team, he led his country to its first ever World Cup victory. He has been nick named as ‘captain cool’ because he often displayed cool composure during crunch situations while playing. After retirement, he played several roles including selector, administrator and chairman of the board.
He switched to politics and joined Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He is now the leader of opposition.
Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya entered the International arena in 1989. He played a crucial role in winning the 1996 cricket World Cup. Although his records of fastest 100 and fastest 150 were eventually broken, he still holds the record for fastest fifty (in 16 balls). Jayasuriya and master blaster Sachin Tendulkar are the only two players ever, to have scored over 150 in 4 ODIs. He has been nicknamed ‘Matara Marauder’ because of his attacking strokeplay.
He joined politics and became MP from his home town of Matara. He is now, part of the ruling government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Sir Frank Worrell
As a West Indian player, Worrell played his first international match in 1947–48 versus the England team. His highest Test score, 261 was made against England at Trent Bridge in 1950, and was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 1951. Worrell became the first black captain of West Indian cricket after the period of white Test captaincy had ended.
After the end of his cricketing career, Alexander Bustamanter made him the Jamaican Senate. Worell endorsed closer political union between the Caribbean nations.
Kirti Azad
Born in Purnea, Bihar, Kirti Azad played seven tests and 25 ODIs between 1980 and 1986. He was part the Indian cricket team that won the cricket World Cup in 1983 under the then captain, Kapil Dev. He played a crucial role in defeating England in the semi-finals.
He later followed in the footsteps of his father and joined politics. His father, Bhagwat Jha Azad was once Chief Minister of Bihar. Azad joined BJP and was elected to the Parliament from Darbhanga, Bihar. He is in his second term now.
Courtesy: siliconindia
