Gautam Gambhir joins BJP, likely to contest 2019 LS polls

Earlier it was learned from the sources that he was about to replace Meenakshi Lekhi, who is the elected member from that constituency, for the upcoming for the Lok Sabha elections

After announcing his retirement from all form of cricket in December 2018, former opener Gautam Gambhir is all set to begin a new innings on India political turf. The ex-Indian cricketer has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday. Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Arun Jaitley welcomed Gambhir, terming it a 'significant induction'.

At the same time, Gambhir thanked the party for this opportunity and said, "I have been influenced by the PM, his vision for the country. This is a fabulous platform for me to do something for the country," said Gambhir.

Delhi: Former Cricketer Gautam Gambhir joins Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) in the presence of Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad pic.twitter.com/EYmhfSSMy7

— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2019

The 37-year-old is a resident of Rajendra Nagar which comes under the New Delhi constituency. He is likely to replace Meenakshi Lekhi, who is the elected member from that constituency, for the upcoming for the Lok Sabha elections.

Gautam Gambhir: I am joining this party(BJP) after getting influenced by PM Narendra Modi's vision. I am honoured to get the opportunity to join this platform pic.twitter.com/barD8XA7W9

— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2019

Gambhir recently received the Padma Shri Award from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. He was one of the eight sportspersons conferred with the fourth highest civilian award.

Gambhir met BJP President Amit Shah after joining the party.

Gambhir made his last appearance in the India jersey in the first Test against England (2016) in the home series.

He played 58 Tests, scoring 4,154 runs at an average of 41.95, including nine centuries and 22 fifties. He played 147 ODIs, scoring 5,238 runs at an average of 39.68 and a strike-rate of 85.25.

He played a pivotal role in India's historic victories in the inaugural edition of ICC World T20. In the ICC World Cup 2011, he played match-winning knocks of 75 (against Pakistan) and 97 (against Sri Lanka) which helped the men in blue to lift the world title.