10 Asian Cricketers who turned politicians

#8 Mohammad Kaif

Kaif led India to its maiden U-19 World Cup title win in 2000

Mohammad Kaif hails from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Kaif shot to fame after leading India to its maiden U-19 World Cup title win in 2000.

He was soon drafted into the national side. He was famous for pioneering high fielding standards and represented India in over 125 ODIs. He also led UP to its maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2005-06.

In 2014, he joined Indian National Congress and contested parliamentary election from Phulpur. However, he couldn't taste success and lost his maiden outing to BJP candidate Keshav Prasad Maurya.

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#9 Vinod Kambli

Vinod Kambli is the fastest Indian to reach 1000 Test runs

Vinod Kambli was a child prodigy. He had shot to fame after his iconic unbeaten partnership with Sachin Tendulkar in a school tournament.

He is the only cricket to score three consecutive centuries in three innings against different nations. Moreover, he is the fastest Indian to reach 1000 runs in Tests.

Kambli joined the Lok Bharti Party and was appointed as the Vice-President of the party. He contested 2009 assembly elections from Vikhroli, Mumbai but lost the campaign.

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#10 Sanath Jayasuriya

Jayasuriya continued playing cricket after entering in politics

Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the most feared batsmen in world cricket. He revolutionized the batting in the mid-90s as no one else did. He is the only cricketer to score 10000 runs and pick 300 wickets in ODI cricket. He has a strike rate of 91 in ODIs and is third on the list of leading six-hitters in ODI cricket.

He retired from international cricket in 2011. However, he entered into politics in 2010 and is the only cricketer to have an active political career while representing his country in ODI cricket.

Jayasuriya was elected Member of Parliament from Matara district and served as the deputy Union Minister of Postal Services in the UPFA government led by Mahendra Rajapaksa.