We all
know these stars on the field. They have blasted their way to fame with the bat
and/or the ball. While cricket and Bollywood are closely entwined, politics has
always been a different field. Captains, and team players in a few cases, have
had the urge to dabble in politics and have joined some party or the other.
While their political stories might not always be as colourful as their
cricketing ones, it’s worth knowing for a cricket-fanatic. This week, let’s get
to know a few of those brave souls who’ve ventured into the political arena.
MOHAMMAD AZHARUDDIN
He was
one of the greatest captains to represent India and was a trend-setter in more
ways than one. One of his note – worthy achievements includes his record of
winning the most number of away test matches before Ganguly and Dhoni took
over. He had his own style of playing with the wrist, which was later
complemented by fellow Hyderabadi VVS Laxman. So, how did his foray into
politics turn out? Will this great captain of India who has abundant leadership
talents, have a great innings in the new arena?
Here
are some facts about Azhar bhai. He joined the Indian National Congress in New
Delhi on 19th February 2009 when he met senior Congress man Veerappa
Moily. In the 2009 General Elections he contested from Moradabad, West UP, and won
by a huge margin of 50,000 votes. The captain never lost his sheen at the start
of this different ball game too. This time around he has shifted his base to contest
from Tonk – Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan. Will there be a second win for the
captain? Let’s wait and see on May 16th.
CHETAN CHAUHAN
He had
the best opening partnerships of all time for India with the great Sunil
Gavaskar during his salad days in the cricketing field. Though he doesn’t have
a century to his credit, he was an excellent partner who ensured that the side
had a solid opening partnership.How well is this outstanding opener in
politics? Is he the same man we saw on the field years ago or has he tweaked
his style for this venture?
Here
are the facts about his political innings. He was the first International
Cricketer from India to contest in Lok Sabha elections. An Arjuna awardee in
1981, he joined the BJP. He was a member of the lower house from Amroha in 1991
and 1998 under the BJP ticket. He lost from the same constituency in 1996, 1999
and 2004 and had to go through a rough patch. What will be his modus operandi
this time? Will he be contesting? We’ll
have to wait for that.
NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU
Who
hasn’t heard about this witty and flamboyant cricketer? He didn’t have ample
scope to represent India in the global stage but when he did, he played with
unparalleled josh and fervour. A strokeless wonder in his early days, Sidhu
moulded his style to that of an attacking opener in the later stages of his
career. His assault on Shane Warne and the match winning innings against
Pakistan in the World Cup of ‘96 are still etched in the minds of cricket
enthusiasts.
Let’s
see what Sherry Paa, the facetious opener known for his dialogues of fiery
temper and ‘Sidhuisms’, accomplished in his stint as a politician. He started
out by joining the BJP in 2003. He contested from Amritsar in the next two
General Elections and won both times amidst tough competition. However, this
election will not have the jocular Sidhu contesting in the Constituency of
Amritsar is being contested by senior BJP leader, Arun Jaitley. He was firm on
his stand of not contesting from any constituency while accepting the decision,
whole heartedly, like the team player he is.
MOHAMMAD KAIF
For
every cricket fan in India, the name Kaif evokes two memories. The first one is
the summer of 2002 when Kaif along with Yuvraj Singh set up an amazing
partnership that resulted in India wining the Natwest Series finals against
England. The second memory is his spectacular catch to dismiss Inzamam- Ul- Haq
in the series against Pakistan in 2004. It’s safe to say that such memories of
his amazing agility and exploits in the field can never be forgotten. Coming to
politics, how well will our Indian Jonty Rhodes fare in the new ball game?
Kaif
joined the Indian National Congress in 2014 and is set to contest from Phulpur
in his home state of UP. Will this new opening be much better than his
cricketing career, which saw many ups and downs? Or will this also turn out to
be a setback for this stellar fielder from UP?
Let’s wait for the 16th of May to get our answers.
KIRTI AZAD
A
cricketer of merit, he is known for his memorable innings against Pakistan, in
an exhibition match at New Delhi in 1983. The three wickets that fell for
Pakistan were all taken by him and he scored a rapid 71* to steer India to a 1
wicket victory. He hit 7 sixes in that innings. The highlight of his cricketing
career was being part of the World Cup winning Indian Team of 1983. How
equipped is this charismatic cricketer in the arena of politics? Is it
something completely new to him?
Kirti
Azad followed the footsteps of his father, former Chief
Minister of Bihar, after his cricketing days by entering politics. He joined
BJP in 1988 and was elected to the Parliament from Darbhanga constituency of
Bihar. He is currently serving his second term in the Lok Sabha. He was an MLA
from Gole Market constituency in Delhi previously. In the forthcoming General
Elections he will contest yet again from Darbhanga. Will he have another
successful run? Will he make a mark for himself in this arena? Will he reach
his father’s heights or better, shadow him eventually? We need to sit tight and
wait patiently for that.
So here
are some of the International Cricketers who have participated or are
participating in the General Elections. Who will be your pick amongst them? Who
will win and create a new story for themselves? Who will be ruffled by the competitiveness
involved? How long are these players going to last in this game of political
thrones? Don your thinking hat, people.
Let’s
end this session with a few more cricketers from all over the globe who have
ventured into politics.
·
MANSOOR ALI KHAN PATAUDI –
Captain of India, Contested in 2 Lok Sabha elections for Congress.
·
SACHIN TENDULKAR – The man who
was loved back by cricket, was given a Rajya Sabha seat on a Congress Ticket.
·
VINOD KAMBLI – Retired India
Test cricketer with the highest average, VP of Lok Bharti Party.
· MANOJ PRABHKAR – Most
successful fast bowling all – rounder for India, Contested in 2004 Lok Sabha
elections from Delhi on a Congress ticket.
·
IMRAN KHAN – The World Cup
winning captain for Pakistan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.
·
ARJUNA RANATUNGA – The World
Cup winning captain for Sri Lanka, was Deputy Minister of Tourism for Sri
Lanka.
·
SANATH JAYASURIYA – The hard
hitting left handed opener for Sri Lanka, Deputy Minister of Postal Services
and Member of Parliament of Sri Lanka.
-Vandhiyadevan
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