‘Need To Focus On Cricket Commitments’: Gautam Gambhir Quits Politics

In what is being viewed as a surprising move, Bhartiya Janata Party MP and former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has announced his decision to step away from active politics. Gambhir, who represented the East Delhi constituency, took to social media to share the news with his followers and supporters. He expressed his intent to focus on his cricket commitments, stressing the need to rededicate his attention to the sport he played before he entered politics.

“I have requested Hon’ble Party President JP Nadda ji to relieve me of my political duties so that I can focus on my upcoming cricket commitments. I sincerely thank Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi for giving me the opportunity to serve the people. Jai Hind,” wrote Gambhir.

Gambhir’s decision to quit politics comes amid reports that he may not get a ticket for the forthcoming 2024 polls. The BJP is soon expected to release a first list of candidates – with over 100 names – that will include heavyweights like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Full-fledged preparations are already on within the party for the 2024 Lok Sabha election around the corner. The party held marathon overnight meetings in Delhi recently, including one led by the Prime Minister at his Delhi residence that began 11 pm Thursday and finished in the wee hours of the morning on Friday.

Gautam Gambhir joined the BJP in March 2019. Ever since then, has become a prominent face of the party in Delhi. He contested and won the East Delhi seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by an impressive margin of 6,95,109 votes. 

The former cricketer is scheduled be occupied in the coming months with his commitments in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he is serving as the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). It is a team he led to two IPL titles as a captain. 

He was a prime player of the Indian teams that won the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Playing 242 matches for India, Gautam Gambhir made 10,324 runs at an average of 38.95, with 20 centuries and 63 half-centuries.