Cricket has produced icons whose influence stretches far beyond the boundaries of the sport. While some cricketers chose coaching or became the highest paid cricket commentators after retirement, a remarkable few stepped into an entirely different arena, politics.
Armed with fame, leadership qualities, and a deep connection with the public, these cricketing legends transformed their sporting legacy into powerful political careers. From winning world titles to winning elections, their journeys are filled with ambition, challenges, and national impact.
So now, we will explore the top 10 most popular cricketers who successfully transitioned into politics and continue shaping their countries’ future with passion and purpose.
Top 10 Most Popular Cricketers Who Became Successful Politicians
The 10 popular cricketers, who I am going to list here, didn’t just dominate stadiums. They carried their charisma and leadership into the political world. Each of them followed a unique path, influenced by personal values, national challenges, and a desire to serve their people.
Below, we break down the political rise of each star, highlighting their cricketing legacy, their transition into public service, and the milestones they achieved afterward. Let’s get into the stories of these remarkable individuals, one by one.
1. Imran Khan
Imran Khan is one of the most beloved cricketers and has led Pakistan to pick the trophy in the 1992 Cricket World Cup. After his retirement from international cricket, Khan stepped into politics.
He gave rise to his own political party named Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf. After a great hard work of 18 years, he became the president of Pakistan in 2018. He is also counted among the most charitable cricketers in the world.
2. Sanath Jayasuriya
Jayasuriya is best famous for his aggressive gameplay and has played his hand in many victories of Sri Lanka all alone. The former left-handed batsman joined politics in 2010 before taking his retirement from the cricket.
Later, he completely shifted his focus towards serving the country and was elected as deputy Union Minister of Postal Services.
3. Arjuna Ranatunga
The cricketer who shocked the world with his leadership skills and exceptional talent is none other than Sri Lanka’s former captain Ranatunga. He is the captain who took his team towards winning the 1996 World Cup trophy despite all the critical facts and criticism.
When he ended his career, he entered the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and became the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.
4. Navjot Singh Sidhu
Sidhu has old connections with politics as he participated in his first elections in 2004. The Indian former batting star has the ability to hit some great shots straight down the ground. Thus, he earned great success in his career. In 2017, he joined the Indian National Congress and then again entered the elections.
5. Chetan Chauhan
Chetan Chauhan is also a cricketer turned politician who became the Minister of Youth and Sports in Uttar Pradesh. The retired Indian opener has the pride of opening the innings with Sunil Gavaskar.
Thus, he is extremely popular among the fans. That’s why he joined politics and also remained the part of Member of the Parliament in Uttar Pradesh.
6. Mashrafe Mortaza
The cricketer who won the hearts of people in politics as well, while actively playing for his national team, is Mashrafe Mortaza. The Bangladeshi all-rounder is one of the most successful captains in the cricketing history of his nation.
In his political career, he won the 11th General Elections of Bangladesh as he received 2,74,418 votes.
7. Kirti Azad
Kirti Azad has deep roots in politics as he belongs to a family with a political background. His father remained the Chief Minister of Bihar, and after taking retirement from internationals, Azad also followed in his father’s footsteps.
He took part in the Parliamentary elections on a BJP ticket in Bihar. However, he entered the Indian National Congress in 2019.
8. Mohammad Azharuddin
Azharuddin has led a glorious career in cricket and led the Indian team in 3 World Cups. However, he ended his career with disappointment as he was caught in a match-fixing scandal. However, he has had much success in his political career and won the Parliamentary election in 2009 on an INC ticket.
9. Aamir Sohail
Another Pakistani cricketer who entered politics is left-hand batsman Aamir Sohail. The former opener has brilliance in hitting the ball really hard. After ending his cricketing career completely, he joined the Pakistan Muslim League, the political party of former Pakistani Minister Nawaz Sharif.
10. Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif is also present on the list as he joined politics after saying goodbye to the cricket field. The former Indian batsman has brought great changes to the national cricket team and created standards for fielding.
He tried the same in his political career and entered the parliamentary election in 2014 on the ticket of the Indian National Congress. However, he couldn’t get much success. But is looking forward to becoming a successful politician in the future.
Let’s Rewind
The journey from a cricketing pitch to a political platform is not an easy one, yet these athletes proved they were more than sportsmen. They were leaders shaped by pressure, discipline, and national pride.
Their contributions to their countries didn’t end with their final match; instead, they evolved into influential political voices shaping public policy and inspiring millions. Whether celebrated for their achievements or criticized for their challenges, each of these cricketers left an undeniable mark on both sports and politics.
Their stories remind us that true leadership transcends fields, and passion for one’s nation can take many powerful forms.
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