5 Indian cricketers who joined politics after retirement

Although cricket players frequently make a lasting impression on the field, others have stepped outside the game's bounds to have an impact on politics. These elite players have shown that their influence goes well beyond the cricket field by governing countries and influencing regional policy. Here are five well-known cricket players who have combined their athletic ability with civic duty to make a big impact in politics.

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Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya, who played 445 ODIs and 110 Test matches for Sri Lanka, revolutionised the limited-overs cricket format. Their 1996 World Cup victory was largely due to his audacious batting approach. After his cricket career, Jayasuriya entered politics in 2010 while still very popular by joining the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

He served as the Matara District's Member of Parliament from 2010 to 2015, and from 2014 to 2015, he was briefly appointed Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development. Although Jayasuriya worked on various local infrastructure projects during his stable political tenure, his impact was less significant than that of his cricketing renown. He maintained a low profile and avoided getting involved in significant controversies.

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Yusuf Pathan

In March 2024, Yusuf Pathan, a two-time World Cup champion, became a member of the All India Trinamool Congress. In the next Lok Sabha Elections, he ran from the Berhampore constituency, where he won and is now a Member of Parliament. 

As a former member of KKR, who won the IPL in 2012 and 2014, the cricket player has a long relationship with the people of Kolkata and all of Bengal. The former all-rounder for the Kolkata Knight Riders also said he was thrilled about the chance to speak for the people in the next elections.

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Navjot Singh Sidhu

The vibrant cricket player and commentator, Navjot Singh Sidhu, has been a well-known figure in Indian politics. Sidhu entered politics following a prosperous cricket career and held positions in Punjab's Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Parliament (MP).

In 2004, Sidhu became a member of the BJP. He served several times after being elected from Amritsar to the Lok Sabha. When Sidhu joined the Indian National Congress (INC) in 2017, his political career took a dramatic shift.

Among his notable roles was serving as Punjab's Minister of Local Government, Tourism, and Cultural Affairs. Like his flamboyant persona, his path from the cricket field to political rallies has been dynamic.

Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir is a legend in Indian cricket because of his unmatched bravery, tenacity, and resolve. Gambhir was an undeniable force in Indian cricket, leading the team to the World Cup finals in 2011 and the 2007 tournament. 

The southpaw is also renowned for his blunt demeanour and unreserved remarks in public or on any other forum. Since joining the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in 2019, Gambhir has participated in every election with the party. The stunning batsman has repeatedly fulfilled his promises and fulfilled the plethora of duties entrusted to him as a Member of Parliament (MP) from East Delhi.

Imran Khan

Imran Khan is a legend in cricket. In 1992, he guided Pakistan to victory in their first and only ODI World Cup. His rapid bowling and excellent leadership made him a top all-round player who played in 175 ODIs and 88 Test matches.

In 1996, Khan founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) following his retirement in 1992. In August 2018, he was appointed Prime Minister of Pakistan, a position he held until April 2022, being the first cricket player to hold such a high political position. A vote of no-confidence ousted him from office in 2022. Khan had highs and lows in his political career.

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