On Friday, former Indian opener, Gautam Gambhir joined the BJP just days before the Lok Sabha election and with several candidates still to be announced, ending months of speculation. Describing Gambhir’s inclusion, Arun Jaitley said that it is a significant induction. Jaitley was one of the two union ministers who addressed a press conference to make the announcement.

Talking about his alliance with the political party, Gambhir said, “I have been influenced by the PM, his vision for the country. This is a fabulous platform for me to do something for the country.” He added that he is “honored” to get the opportunity to join the platform.

The former cricketer may contest the April-May national election as a BJP candidate from Delhi. He is expected to contest the elections from the prestigious New Delhi constituency currently held by the party’s Meenakshi Lekhi, sources have said.

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Gambhir is a resident of Delhi’s Rajinder Nagar, which falls within the constituency. Refusing the confirming anything further, Jaitley said, “Leave the decision to the party’s election committee”.

Gautam recently received that coveted Padma Shri award from the Indian President Ram Nath Kovind. Last year in December, he decided to hang his boots from all forms of cricket after a 15-year stint. He runs a community kitchen, besides appearing as a commentator.

Gambhir has always been known for his strong comments on contemporary politics and there have been some incidents which had inspired talk about his joining politics. His Twitter account is full of posts on the Pulwama terror attack, in which more 40 CRPF soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.

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Gautam joins the cricketers-turned-politicians list comprising veterans like Kirti Azad, Mohammad Azharuddin, Navjot Sidhu, and Mohammad Kaif.