In Pics | From Navjot Sidhu To Gautam Gambhir, Famous Cricketers Who Became Equally Successful Politicians

There are examples a plenty where cricketers have thrown their hat into the political arena to serve their fellow countrymen by throwing their hat into the political arena post their yeoman service to the motherland on the cricketing turf.

Gautam Gambhir Hits Out At AAP Over 'Missing' Posters, Trolling/ Photo Courtesy: PTI

Cricket is a religion in the Indian sub continent and the 'Gentleman's Game' has unparalleled following among the die-hard fans of the South Asian region. Cricketers are hailed as no less than rock-stars in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and they are idolized and revered for their bringing smiles to millions with their game changing performances. Such is the immense public appeal and following of these demi-god like cricketers that they are considered to be role models by lakhs and lakhs of citizens, who take inspiration from them in bringing about a positive chance to their lives. There are examples a plenty where cricketers have turned to public service to serve their fellow countrymen by throwing their hat into the political arena post their yeoman service to the motherland on the cricketing turf. Notable among many global cricketers who became politicians after representing their nation in cricket are Gautam Gambhir, Navjot Sidhu, Imran Khan, Kirti Azad and Arjuna Ranatunga. So let us have a look at some highly successful cricketers who also have had an equally stint in the political arena post bidding farewell to the sport GAUTAM GAMBHIR Former Indian Test cricketer Gautam Gambhir has been the latest entrant to join politics after serving the nation with distinction, doning the national jersey for the Indian cricket team for over a decade. The former Indian opening batsman the Bharatiya Janata Party on March 22, 2019 in the presence of Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad. Gambhir became a Member of Parliament after he won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket from East Delhi constituency beating Aam Aadmi Party candidate Atishi Marlena and Congress candidate Arvinder Singh Lovely NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU Navjot Singh Sidhu The highly versatile Navjot Singh Sidhu has been a jack of many trades and mastered some with his dynamic and imposing personality. Sidhu, who was opened the innings for India with reasonably amount of success during the late 80s and 90s in both the red and white ball format, entered the political fray post his retirement from the game . Known for his bombastic speeches and trendy punchlines, the power-packed Sidhu won the 20004 Lok Sabha elections from Amritsar on a BJP ticket. He bagged the Amristar Lok Sabha for a second straight time post winning the 2009 General elections from the Punjab constituency. BJP denied him a ticket for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and gave the seat to the party's key strategist and then Union Minister Arun Jaitley. In 2016, Sidhu was given a Rajya Sabha ticket by the BJP and he took oath as a member of the Upper House, However, he resigned shortly. Sidhu went onto join the Indian National Congress in 2017 and won the state assembly elections from Amritsar East constituency. He served as the Minister of Local Government, Tourism, Cultural Affairs, and Museums in Captain Amarainder Singh-led Congress govt in Punjab. MOHAMMAD AZHARUDDIN Former Indian cricket captain and former MP Mohammad Azharuddin (PIC/Twitter video) Mohammad Azharuddin threw his hat into the political arena after a highly successful decade and a half long cricketing career for India. After leading India for almost a decade in both Tests and ODI cricket in the 90s and etching his name as one of the greatest with the willow, the stylish Hyderabadi batsman started his political innings in 2009 when he joined Congress party a decade after his retirement. Azhar became a Lok Sabha MP in 2009 after winning the general elections from Moradabad constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Azhar did not get another term in the parliament as he suffered a massive defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Moradabad constituency. He showed his keen interest to contest 2019 elections from Secunderabad parliamentary constituency in Telangana. Azhar presently holds the position of Working President of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee IMRAN KHAN Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. (File Photo/ AFP) Former Pakistani skipper Imran Khan is perhaps the most famous example of a highly successful international cricketer turning into a politician of notable reckoning after bidding adieu to the sport. Hailed as one of the most impact-full all-rounders to have graced the 'Gentleman's Game', Imran Khan who led Pakistan to their maiden and only World Cup title in 1992 World Cup was elected as his nation's Prime Minister after his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf clinched a thumping victory in the General Elections held in July 2018. In the 2018 National Assembly elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) garnered the most votes and won the most seats (149) in the polls held to elect members of National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies.. ARJUNA RANATUNGA Hailed as Sri Lanka's greatest ever skipper and a master strategist, Arjuna Ranatunga joined politics after a glittering cricketing career for the Island Nation and won the National Elections to become a Member of the Parliament in Sri Lanka for Gampaha constituency. In 2015, Ranatunga was appointed as the Minister of Ports and Shipping having earlier held the post of Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister for Tourism