The start of the new year in India brought key state elections across the country. Starting from February, elections in Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab, Manipur and Uttar Pradesh have ruled the minds have all Indian citizens. Hence today, the country is in full election frenzy as the results in some major states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Goa are being announced.
Politics and cricket have also been together in India. According to eminent historian Ram Guha, Palwankar Baloo, a Dalit leader was the first-ever cricketer to join politics. He competed in the 1933-34 Bombay Municipality election but lost to doctor Homi F Pavri.
Therefore in the spirit of the elections, let us look at this of Indian cricketers who have transitioned into politics after retiring from their cricketing careers.
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi
Regarded as India’s greatest captain, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi AKA Tiger Pataudi took part in the 1991 elections as he fought on Congress Party ticket in Bhopal. But unlike his cricketing triumphs, politics wasn’t his strongest suit as he lost BJP’s Sushil Chandra Verma who had 53.61% votes.
