From Pitch to Politics: Cricketers Making Waves in Indian Governance

Former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin was inducted into the Telangana cabinet, following the footsteps of other cricketer-turned-politicians. His political journey began with Congress in 2009. Despite electoral setbacks, Azharuddin remains active, being appointed as the working president of Congress in Telangana ahead of the assembly elections.

In a significant political development, ex-cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin was inducted into the Telangana cabinet on Friday, marking him as the second former cricketer to hold a ministerial position in a Congress government, after Navjot Singh Sidhu. Cricket stars have long found a platform in politics, spanning parties like the BJP and Trinamool Congress.

Azharuddin's political career kicked off as a Congress Lok Sabha MP from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, in 2009. Despite losing the 2014 election in Rajasthan, his career in politics has been steadfast, most recently being appointed as the working president of Congress in Telangana just before the state assembly polls.

Nominated to the Legislative Council by the Telangana government, Azharuddin's appointment awaits approval. This trend of cricketers in politics is echoed by figures like Sidhu and others who have transitioned their sports fame into political influence across major Indian parties.

(With inputs from agencies.)