List Of Cricketers Who Turned Into Politicians 

Over the years, politics has become one of the most sought-after careers for prominent personalities from diverse backgrounds, including sports and entertainment and cricket is no exception. The past few years have witnessed numerous prominent cricketers who have switched to the profession of being a politician after leaving the game of cricket. We’re assuming that although it mustn’t be an easy decision to take up politics after earning an enormous stature in the world of sports for these cricketers, it must be an exciting opportunity to latch on. Without much ado, let’s explore some exciting and unheard facts about the top five cricketers who turned into politicians. 

In this article, we will take a closer look at the top five cricketers who turned into politicians. 

• Arjuna Ranatunga 

On the first spot on our list of top five cricketers who turned into politicians, we have former Sri Lankan cricketer and skipper Arjuna Ranatunga. Often hailed as one of the greatest captains of the Sri Lankan cricket team, Arjuna Ranatunga successfully led the Sri Lankan side to a memorable and undefeated victory at the 1996 Cricket World Cup. After his cricketing graph declined constantly, Arjuna Ranatunga announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket in 2001 and made his path-breaking transition into politics in 2005. Former cabinet minister of transport and civil aviation, Arjuna Ranatunga, is currently an active member of the Democratic National Movement party. 

• Imran Khan 

Do you know that the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, popularly referred to as “Imran Khan,” is also a former cricketer and has been the skipper of Pakistan’s national cricket team throughout the 1980s and early 1990s? Born in Lahore, Imran Khan was always passionate towards cricket and dreamt of representing his home country, Pakistan, on an international stage. Imran Khan’s childhood dream came true as he made a roaring debut during the 1971 test series against England and proved his mettle. Pakistan won a total of eighty-nine matches across all three formats under Imran Khan’s captaincy, making him one of the most successful Pakistani skippers. 

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Imran Khan announced his retirement from the world of cricket in 1992 due to numerous injuries and transitioned into politics in 1996 after forming his own political party “Tehreek-e-Insaf”. Imran Khan won the elections and became the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan on 18 August 2018. 

• Ian Botham 

Often hailed as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of England’s cricket, Ian Botham is at the third spot on our list of top five cricketers who turned into politicians. After his extremely successful exploits at the cricket field for England in the tests and One-Day Internationals format, Ian Botham transitioned into politics and was introduced to the House of Lords in July 2020 as a crossbench peer. In addition to being an integral part of the House of Lords, Ian Botham has also been a chairman of Durham County Cricket Club since 2017. 

• Sanath Jayasuriya 

Former Sri Lankan cricketer and skipper Sanath Teran Jayasuriya, who is regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the ODI format, is at the fourth spot on our list of top five cricketers who turned into politicians. Sanath Jayasuriya was also a pivotal player in the Sri Lankan cricket squad that clinched the 1996 Cricket World Cup. After witnessing a stellar cricketing career, the Sri Lankan all-rounder officially announced his retirement from the test format in December 207 and from the ODI format in January 2013. 

• Gautam Gambhir 

On the fifth spot on our list of top five cricketers who turned into politicians, we have Indian former international cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who is also currently serving as a head coach of the Indian cricket team in all formats. Gambhir remained as a mainstay for the Indian cricket team from 2003 to 2016 and later announced his official retirement in 2018. Just a year later in 2019, Gambhir joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and won the Lok Sabha elections from East Delhi, brutally defeating Aam Aadmi Party’s Atishi Marlena with a huge margin.