Former Indian cricket team skippers Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble have been approached by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to field during the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections. However, according to some reports, the former Indian cricketers have turned down those approaches.
According to some sources, BJP was trying to approach them to woo the voters before the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections which has been scheduled to be held on May 12. Due to having great reputations, BJP believes both these former Indian cricketers can lead the young voters for their support who have to fight against Indian National Congress’ (INC) Siddaramaiah, the last Karnataka Chief Minister.
However, various media reports are also claiming that the former Indian cricketers haven’t shown their interest to involve in the politics as they have turned down those approaches.
However, sources also claimed that the party is still trying to approach them even after their rejections.
According to The Print, a source claimed, “Talks are still on. At least one of them desires to be fielded for the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. We have not lost all hope yet.”
Rahul Dravid had played for Indian cricket team from 1996 to 2012. The right-handed batsman had played 164 Tests, 344 ODIs and only T20I where he had scored 13,288 runs, 10,889 runs and 31 runs respectively. Dravid is the second most Test runs scorer for India and the fourth most Test runs scorer in overall. Also, Dravid is the third most ODI runs scorer for India. He had led the side in 104 international matches (25 Tests and 79 ODIs). At present, Dravid is the head coach of India U-19 Cricket team and India ‘A’ cricket team.
Meanwhile, former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble had played 132 Tests and 271 ODIs from 1990 to 2008 where he had claimed 619 wickets and 337 wickets respectively. Kumble is the most Test wicket-taker for India and the third most Test wicket-taker in overall. The leg-spinner is also the most ODI wicket-taker for India. Kumble had led the national side in 15 international matches (14 Tests and 1 ODI). Kumble was the head coach of Indian cricket team from June 2016 to June 2017.
