From Gautam Gambhir To Vinesh Phogat: Indian Sportspersons To Venture Into Politics – In Pics

Here's a look at some of the famous Indian athletes who entered the politics.

Sports and politics are separate domains, yet representing a country in sports can elevate athletes to such public prominence that it often opens doors for successful ventures into the political arena. Here’s a look at some of the notable Indian sportspersons who turned to politics in the country.

Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia (Wrestlers): Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the Congress party on September 6, ahead of the Haryana assembly elections. Phogat is a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and Punia is a bronze medallist from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a four-time World Wrestling Championships medallist. (Image credits: PTI)

Gautam Gambhir (Cricketer): Although Gautam Gambhir did not contest the 2024 general election to focus on his cricketing commitments, the two-time World Cup-winning cricketer made a successful political debut in 2019. Representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Gambhir won the East Delhi seat. (Image credits: PTI)

Navjot Singh Sidhu (Cricketer): The former Indian opening batter entered politics in 2004 as a BJP candidate from Amritsar, where he successfully won the election. In 2016, he was appointed to the Rajya Sabha but resigned after just a month. Later that year, he joined the Indian National Congress and contested the 2017 Punjab Legislative Assembly election from Amritsar East, securing a victory. (Image credits: PTI)

Babita Phogat (Wrester): Babita Phogat, a gold medallist at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, entered politics in 2019 and contested the Haryana Legislative Assembly election as a BJP candidate from the Dadri constituency.. (Image credits: PTI)

Devendra Jhajahria (Javelin Para athlete): Para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia has recently announced his entry into politics. A highly decorated athlete, Jhajharia won gold medals at the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio Paralympics and a silver at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. (Image Credits: X/@DevJhajharia)

Kalyan Chaubey (Football player): Kalyan Chaubey, the current president of the All India Football Federation joined the BJP in 2015 and contested the 2019 general election from the Krishnanagar constituency. (Image credits: PTI)

Mohammad Azharuddin (Cricketer): Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin made his political debut in 2009, winning a seat from the Moradabad constituency on behalf of the Indian National Congress. He also contested in the 2014 general election and the 2023 Telangana Assembly election, though he did not achieve victory in those races. (Image credits: PTI)

Harbhajan Singh (Cricketer): Harbhajan Singh, former Indian cricketer and off-spinner, joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and currently serves as a Member of the Rajya Sabha. (Image credits: PTI)