Cricket and politics, both of India's most passionate arenas, have seen plenty of crossovers. A lot of Indian cricketers have transitioned from the sporting arena to the political sphere throughout the years, leveraging their fame and leadership skills to work for the nation in a different capacity. This article delves into the experiences of 10 Indian cricketers who made a transition into politics after they retired from sport, detailing their achievements and impact that they have left on the political landscape. 10 Indian Cricketers Who Turned Politicians Cricketer Country Position Held Gautam Gambhir India Member of Parliament (2019–2024) Navjot Singh Sidhu India MP, Minister in Punjab Government Mohammad Azharuddin India Member of Parliament (2009–2014) Kirti Azad India MP from Darbhanga, Bihar Manoj Tiwary India MLA, Minister of State in West Bengal Mohammad Kaif India Contested 2014 Lok Sabha elections Chetan Chauhan India MP, Minister for Youth and Sports (UP) Harbhajan Singh India Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha Sachin Tendulkar India Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha Vinod Kambli India Contested 2009 Maharashtra Assembly Gautam Gambhir Image Source : PTI Gautam Gambhir, a key player in India's triumph in the 2007 T20 and 2011 World Cup ODI, took the step into politics when he became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019. He was made a Member of Parliament from East Delhi and focused on issues such as pollution and public health. Gambhir stepped back from politics in March 2024 in order to prioritize cricket responsibilities. Also Read | Gautam Gambhir Net Worth: Homes, Car Collection & More Navjot Singh Sidhu Image Source : AFP Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was popular for his showy batting as well as commentary, began his political career with the BJP in 2004, winning the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat. In a short absence, he defected to join the Congress in 2017 and became a Punjab government minister. Sidhu's political career has been marked by his charismatic oratory skills. Mohammad Azharuddin Image Source : Facebook India's most charming batsman and former captain Mohammad Azharuddin was a Congress party member in 2009. He was elected as the MP for Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. Azharuddin's political journey has been full of ups and downs, but he continues to be a force to be contended with in Indian politics. Kirti Azad Image Source : PTI Kirti Azad, a member of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team, began his political career with the BJP, representing the Darbhanga constituency in Bihar. In 2019, he joined the Congress party. Azad has been vocal about sports-related issues and corruption in cricket administration. Manoj Tiwary Image Source : ESPN Manoj Tiwary, a talented middle-order batsman, joined the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) in 2021. He was also made the MLA from West Bengal's Shibpur constituency and became the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports. Tiwary continues to remain active in politics as well as domestic cricket. Mohammad Kaif Image Source : PTI Mohammad Kaif, famous for his match-winning performances and fielding excellence in the 2002 NatWest Series final, joined the Congress party and contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Phulpur, Uttar Pradesh. Although he lost, Kaif remains active in social and political life. Also Read | Watch: Ben Foakes Takes Unreal Diving Catch vs Yorkshire Chetan Chauhan Image Source : Getty Images Chetan Chauhan, Test opener, was a BJP Member of Parliament from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. He was also the Youth and Sports Minister for the Uttar Pradesh government. Chauhan contributed greatly to sports and politics until his demise in 2020. Harbhajan Singh Image Source : ANI Harbhajan Singh, ranked among India's best off-spinners, switched to politics and joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to get elected to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab in 2022. Renowned for his aggressive temperament on the cricket field, Harbhajan is just as intense about politics, with youth and sports development being of particular interest to him. Sachin Tendulkar Image Source : AFP India's cricket great Sachin Tendulkar was inducted into the Rajya Sabha in 2012, the first athlete to be selected while active. He served on sports development and youth affairs during his term. His attendance record came under heavy criticism, but that the latter was selected while active is a significant cross-pollination of sport and politics. Also Read | Top 10 Fastest Fifty in IPL History [UPDATED] Vinod Kambli Image Source : X Aggressive batsman Vinod Kambli got into politics and was a member of the Lok Bharati Party. He contested the 2009 Maharashtra Assembly elections from Vikhroli but lost. Kambli's foray into politics was short-lived, and he then resumed cricketing activity. Conclusion The transition from cricket pitch to politics is the finest evidence of the versatility and leadership potential of these cricketers. Their biographies exhibit the extent to which sportsmen/women might make a difference beyond the sports field, constructing the world through government and civic responsibility. With each exercising their discipline, the importance of teamwork, and forward thinking in politics, these cricketers inspire millions upon millions, demonstrating that the service mindset knows no bounds.