In India, there is a long and rich history between Cricket and Politics. Every person in every state of India plays cricket. The leaders of the large country enjoy playing and watching cricket. Politics and cricket are closely related because they have something in common all the time.
Politicians from all political parties have taken an interest in cricket matters. Amit Shah and Sharad Pawar are two examples of politicians who have managed cricket boards. In India, cricket and politics have a long and storied relationship. It’s an eternal and inseparable union that recalls husband and wife vows.
History of cricket and politics in India:
Every region of India is completely enthralled with the game of cricket. It enthrals everyone, even the nation’s politicians who make the majority of the decisions. There is no story quite like the one about the romance between politicians and cricket.
Politicians from all political parties have led cricket affairs and managed different cricket boards, including Amit Shah and Sharad Pawar. From 2005 to 2008, Sharad Pawar, the president of the Nationalist Congress, presided over the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Girilal Jain, who was The Times of India’s editor at the time, is credited with saying that in India, politics sets the pace and everything else follows suit in the 1980s. Indian sports associations have historically followed political developments.
India’s two greatest obsessions, politics and cricket, seem to be twisted by faith and placed in each other’s paths. They also always find common ground. Political ties bind cricket associations from east to west and north to south.
Consider the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), which was led by former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for 14 years, from 1999 to 2013. The late BJP leader was under fire in 2015 and his tenure was marred by corruption, but he denied any wrongdoing.
Although the corruption has always been discussed, not much has emerged from it. It still exists today. This association has not been disputed, as the political establishment persists in encircling itself around itself—how could it, given that influential political figures are in charge?
Affair between the two industries:
The current prime minister of the nation also experienced a change of role in 2009 when he was chosen to serve as the Gujarat Cricket Association President. He only left his position in 2014 following his election as prime minister.
Politicians now enjoy the benefits of leading sports organisations, and the pervasive political influence on cricket has become normalised. The extent of politicians in sports organisations would need to be discussed across all state associations.
Notable politicians such as Anurag Thakur and Farooq Abdullah have held the position of president of cricket associations. It’s a relationship that seems to last forever, and it just seems to get stronger.
5 cricket passionate politicians:
5. Narendra Kumar Prasadrao Salve:
Prasadrao Salve, also referred to as NKP Salve, possessed many talents. He was a Congress Party minister who was instrumental in bringing the Cricket World Cup to India.
As the president of the Indian Cricket Board at the time, NKP Salve received an invitation to Lord’s when India advanced to the final. He was injured since he was not given additional passes. Using this as a chance, he altered world cricket. The World Cup was moved from England for the first time due to the NKP Salve.
4. Arun Jaitley:
Arun Jaitley, the BJP’s former Union finance minister, was an avid cricket fan who died in Delhi at the age of 66. He completely eradicated corruption from the Delhi and District Cricket Association while serving as its president in 1999.
Bishan Singh Bedi, the former captain of India, welcomed him with open arms and spoke highly of him as an administrator who is passionate about cricket. We will always be grateful for Jaitley’s vision, efforts, and work for the Indian Cricket Board. He moved on and assumed responsibility with the Central government after 14 years.
3. General Zia-ul-Haq:
Tensions between India and Pakistan, who were sharing the World Cup as co-hosts for the first time, surfaced just before the Reliance World Cup of 1987. Unexpectedly, Pakistani General Zia-ul-Haq travelled to India. Later, he ignored the tension between the two nations and watched cricket with India’s prime minister. This incident caused a significant shift in the cricket community.
2. Anthony Albanese:
At Narendra Modi Stadium, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took on India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the fourth Test match of the 2023 Border Gavaskar Trophy. For seventy-five years, both nations have maintained diplomatic and cricketing ties. The Hall of Fame museum is located inside the stadium, and both PMs visited it.
At his meeting with British Prime Minister Mr Rishi Sunak, he was also observed making references to and jokes about “The Ashes,” the storied Test Match series that has spanned decades between Australia and England. Alluding to the sandpaper incident, Sunak retaliated effectively with the Sandpaper.
1. Sharad Pawar:
Sharad Pawar is the most prominent and powerful regional political leader in India. He began his career in cricket in 1966, the year he was appointed state minister, thanks to Sadu Shinde, an Indian cricket player who had toured England in 1946. Sharad Pawar’s father-in-law was Sadu Shinde.
In addition, Sharad Pawar presided over the Cricket Governing Body from 2010 to 2012. Additionally, he presided over the Indian Cricket Board from 2005 to 2008. From October 2013 to January 2017, he presided over the Mumbai Cricket Association as its president.
So, this was all about the legendary association between Cricket and Politics. Also read, Fans react: Suryakumar Yadav win T20I Cricketer of the Year
