New Delhi, 8 April 2025
The well-known cricketer Kedar Jadhav has started the new inning of his life. The 40 years old, joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today at the BJP’s Mumbai office on Tuesday, in the presence of party president Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
Kedar Jadhav, known for his role as an all-rounder made his ODI debut in November 2014 against Sri Lanka in Ranchi. He has played 73 ODIs, scoring 1,389 runs at an average of 42.09 and took 27 wickets with an economy rate of 5.15.
He announced his retirement from all formats of cricket in June 2024 and is considered close to former Indian captain MS Dhoni and played several match-winning roles for India under Dhoni’s leadership, both with the bat and ball.
Jadhav is among a line of Indian cricketers who have entered politics that include Navjot Singh Sidhu in Punjab, Yusuf Pathan and Bengal Sports Minister Manoj Tiwary in West Bengal. Former India opener and current head coach Gautam Gambhir also joined the BJP and won elections from Delhi, though he later quit politics to focus on his coaching career.
Jadhav also had a notable career in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing teams such as Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals from 2009 to 2023. He also played for the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2010.
