8 Indian Cricketers who turned to Politics, check out the full list

Not many Indian cricketers after their retirement from professional sport went on to become politicians of the nation. There are some big names in the following list who tried their luck in the political field despite tough competition surrounding them. While some contested and succeeded in the elections, others just couldn’t just make an impact in the second innings of their life.

Let’s take a look at the seven Indian cricketers who turned politicians:-

#8. Laxman Sivaramakrishnan

Cricketer-turned-commentator, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has joined BJP. He played for India in 9 Tests and 16 ODIs and didn’t play many games for the country. He said that he couldn’t fulfil the expectations of fans as a cricketer but he will give absolutely everything to try his luck in politics.

After being associated with cricket for more than 4 decades, the commentator wants to give it back to society. “I have played cricket for 20 years and done commentary/coaching for another 20 years. It’s been 40 years with the game I love. Now I am looking at different challenges in life.

Chennai, my city, and Tamil Nadu, my state are my top priorities and I want to work for the development of my city and the state. “ know I could not do justice to my talent and expectations of my fans as a cricketer. Will fulfil that commitment in politics.

I want to work for the best of my ability for the party, state, country and people. I will not disappoint them in my second innings,” he was quoted as saying by Mumbai Mirror.

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#7. Vinod Kambli

Kambli proved a great case for himself as a viable attacking middle-order batsman for India. The highlight is that he is the first cricketer to score a century in an ODI on his birthday. Besides cricketing career, he has also appeared in some TV serials and Bollywood films as an actor.

He also joined the Lok Bharati Party and was roped in as the vice-president of the party. He contested the 2009 General Assembly election from Vikhroli, Mumbai as a Lok Bharati Party candidate and luck didn’t wave on his side as he lost the election.

#6. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi

Pataudi is the former skipper of the Indian cricket team and only very few of them know that he is one of India’s greatest cricket captains. Apart from his captaincy, he was also praised as the ‘best fielder in the world’ at his peak.

He contested in the general elections from Bhopal under Congress party in the year 1991 and finally lost it. In 1971, he lost elections while contesting for Vishal Haryana party headed by Rao Birender Singh. He drew his last breath at the age of 70 due to respiratory failure.