Cricket and politics may seem unrelated, but for some star players, moving from the pitch to politics felt like a natural step. These cricketers, known for their sports success, used their fame and public trust to start careers in government. Here, we look at 5 cricketers who became politicians and see how they did in their new roles.

Cricket is more than just a game in places like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—it’s a cultural force that turns players into legends. This fame often leads to politics, where being well-known can win votes. Cricketers bring charm, discipline, and teamwork to politics, but winning on the field doesn’t always mean winning in office.

From leading a country, like Imran Khan, to shaping local policies, like Gautam Gambhir, these players prove that cricket skills can impact politics. Here, we look at 5 cricketers who entered politics and see how they fared.

1. Imran Khan

Imran Khan is a cricket icon. He led Pakistan to their first and only ODI World Cup win in 1992. Playing 88 Tests and 175 ODIs, he was a top all-rounder, famous for his fast bowling and strong leadership.

After retiring in 1992, Khan started the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 1996. His goal was to fight corruption and improve how Pakistan was governed.

He became Pakistan’s Prime Minister in August 2018 and served until April 2022, making him the first cricketer to reach such a high political position.

During his time as Prime Minister, Khan launched efforts like anti-corruption campaigns and the Ehsaas welfare program, which were praised for helping the poor. However, his term faced issues like economic troubles, high inflation, and political divides. In 2022, a no-confidence vote removed him from office. Supporters admired his honesty, while critics highlighted struggles in running the government effectively.

Khan’s political career has its highs and lows. He pushed for important reforms but also dealt with major controversies. This makes him a divisive figure in Pakistan’s politics.

2. Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir is currently the head coach of India’s men’s cricket team for all formats. He took over on July 9, 2024, replacing Rahul Dravid.

Gautam Gambhir was key to India’s wins in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. A stylish left-handed batsman, he played 58 Tests and 147 ODIs, earning a reputation for delivering in crucial moments.

Gambhir joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in March 2019, right before the Lok Sabha elections. He wanted to make a difference in society beyond his cricket career.

He became the MP for East Delhi in May 2019 and was re-elected in 2024, showing his rising influence in politics as of March 9, 2025.

Gambhir has prioritized sports, education, and youth welfare, gaining praise for his work in Parliament. Critics, however, point out his limited presence in his local area. Still, his time in office has been mostly free of controversy compared to others.

As a newcomer to politics, Gambhir’s performance is decent and shows potential. His cricket fame has helped his political career, and his influence is likely to increase over time.

3. Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu, a bold and aggressive batsman, played 51 Tests and 136 ODIs for India. After cricket, he became well-known as a commentator and TV star.

Sidhu joined politics in 2004 with the BJP but moved to Congress in 2016 due to internal conflicts, showing his ability to adapt.

He was the MP for Amritsar from 2004 to 2014 and later became Punjab’s Minister of Local Government, Tourism, and Cultural Affairs from 2016 to 2021.

Sidhu’s strong speaking skills helped him stand out as a state leader, and he worked on tourism projects. But his time in office was marked by controversies, like leaving the BJP and a public feud with Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, showing his rocky political journey.

Sidhu’s track record is mixed. He did well in state politics and connected with the public, but his frequent party changes and disputes held back his influence at the national level.

4. Mohammad Azharuddin

Mohammad Azharuddin led India in 47 Tests and 174 ODIs, guiding the team to victory in the 1993 Hero Cup. A graceful middle-order batsman, he scored more than 6,000 runs in Test cricket.

Azharuddin joined the Indian National Congress in 2009, using his cricket fame to step into electoral politics.

He served as the MP for Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, from 2009 to 2014, representing an important northern region.

Azharuddin won the 2009 election, focusing on improving his local area, but lost in 2014. His political career was clouded by old match-fixing claims, which hurt his reputation even though he was cleared by the courts in 2012.

Azharuddin’s time in politics was short, with few notable successes. His career was often overshadowed by past scandals, making his shift to politics less impactful compared to others.

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5. Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya changed the game of limited-overs cricket, playing 110 Tests and 445 ODIs for Sri Lanka. His bold batting style was key to their 1996 World Cup win.

Jayasuriya joined the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in 2010, stepping into politics while still highly popular after his cricket career.

He was the MP for Matara District from 2010 to 2015 and briefly held the role of Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development in 2014-2015.

Jayasuriya’s time in politics was steady, with some work on local infrastructure, but his influence was smaller compared to his cricket fame. He stayed out of major controversies, keeping a quiet presence.

Jayasuriya’s political career was decent but not groundbreaking, showing a calmer shift compared to his energetic cricket years.

Cricketers’ Careers

Name	Cricket Highlights	Political Party	Positions Held	Performance Assessment
Imran Khan	1992 World Cup win, 88 Tests	PTI	Prime Minister (2018-2022)	Mixed, reforms and controversies
Gautam Gambhir	2011 World Cup, 58 Tests	BJP	MP from East Delhi (2019-present)	Moderate, growing impact
Navjot Singh Sidhu	51 Tests, aggressive batsman	BJP, then Congress	MP, Punjab Minister (2016-2021)	Varied, successful in state
Mohammad Azharuddin	Led India in 47 Tests, 1993 Hero Cup	Congress	MP from Moradabad (2009-2014)	Limited, affected by controversies
Sanath Jayasuriya	1996 World Cup, 110 Tests	UPFA	MP, Minister (2010-2015)	Moderate, stable but less prominent

The stories of these 5 cricketers-turned-politicians share a theme: their cricket fame helped launch their political careers, but their success relied on adaptability and circumstances. Imran Khan rose to become Pakistan’s Prime Minister but faced major hurdles.

Gautam Gambhir shows potential in India’s parliament. Navjot Singh Sidhu excelled in state politics, Mohammad Azharuddin dealt with past controversies, and Sanath Jayasuriya kept a low but steady profile.