Even as former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan took oath as the newly elected Prime Minister of the country on Saturday, the trend of cricketers turning to politics could continue if latest reports are to be believed.
According to an article by leading Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, former India batsman Gautam Gambhir could contest the upcoming elections for the state of Delhi.
The report states that Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), which is the ruling national party in the country, is eager to field Gambhir in the Delhi elections.
If Gambhir does indeed take to the field in the assembly elections, he would follow in the footsteps of several Indian cricketers who have started a new innings in politics post their cricketing careers.
Navjot Sidhu, Mohammad Azharuddin, Vinod Kambli and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi are just a few of the former India cricketers who have given politics a shot.
Navjot Sidhu currently serves as a Minister in his home state.
36-year-old Gambhir has played 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20s for India over the course of his career. His last appearance in an India shirt came in November 2016 in a Test match against England at Rajkot.
The Delhi native had returned to his home franchise Delhi Daredevils in the IPL at the start of the year after a hugely successful tenure as Kolkata Knight Riders skipper.
He was given the captaincy of the Daredevils as well but stepped down midway through the competition after a poor run of form with the bat which coincided with the team’s dismal performance.