The Indian cricketers have a long tradition of joining politics after quitting international cricket. Mohammad Azharuddin is the latest to join the bandwagon. The cricketer who had always been frugal with his words does not at all fit the bill of arc typical Indian politicians who talk more than they work. But the cricketer as well as the party that is pitching him as their candidate hopes that it is his star status in international cricket that would keep the vote bank overflowing with the votes from the cricket crazy Indian voters. And why not, the forty six year old successful cricket captain of India is reported to draw huge crowds in the town of Moradabad where he is campaigning. “People still love me, it shows in the big crowds that come to my rallies,” Azharuddin told AFP. It is to be seen, whether the crowd actually translates into votes for India’s ex-cricket captain, who was banned from international cricket for life in 2000 following a match-fixing allegation by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation.

Another cricketer, who will find the pitch in politics a bit tougher than the cricket is Chetan Sharma.  He is contending on a BSP ticket from Faridabad Loksabha seat; the election result will tell whether the nation has forgiven this former cricketer who experienced the wrath of cricket crazy nation after Javed Miandad concluded win for Pakistan by hitting a match winning sixer in his ball in an ODI final in 1986. Another Chetan, bearing the last name of Chauhan is however hopeful of a better result this year. This year, he is contending on BJP ticket from East Delhi, after abandoning his earlier constituency of Amroha after losing in 2004.

Kirti Azad, another cricketer contending for LS seat is brave enough to continue with his Darbhanga constituency despite facing a defeat last election. He banks on his international cricket experience to help him sail through politics. “After all, both are games of glorious uncertainties. The difference is you face one bouncer at a time in cricket but in politics they come from all directions at once,” said Kirti Azad, who has been a member of India’s 1983 World Cup winning team.

However the best draw this year probably is the cricketer who has pioneered a unique conception called ‘Sidhuism’. The witted one liners that have made him famous both as cricket commentator and a comedy show presenter in Indian television have also definitely helped him through his five years stint with politics. He won the general election in 2004 but following a court conviction of murder, he was forced to resign. However, following a Supreme Court stay order, he was allowed to contest a by election and emerged victorious in the test. Sidhu, who as a BJP candidate contesting from Sikh holy city of Amritsar is confident and even works up his latest one liner to wrap up the mood, “Faith in your abilities will help you face the music, even if you don't like the tune”.

But as all of these candidates would admit: as in cricket, so in politics, nothing can be predicted. It is a more complicated ball game here in politics, where accomplished candidates like Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, regarded as one of the most successful cricket captains of India have lost election twice. So when you are not glued to the television for the India Premier League, do catch up with the latest poll trends. Get ready for a few unexpected turns of events and Kahani mein twists.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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