Yusuf Pathan, a former Team India cricketer who represented Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, has been chosen as a Trinamool Congress candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Baharampur seat in West Bengal. He is expected to face tough competition from Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a five-time MP from the constituency representing the Congress party. Stay updated on the latest news and developments from India and around the world by following NDTV.com and watching live updates on our website.
Background:
Yusuf Pathan, a veteran all-rounder in Indian cricket, has made a significant career transition by joining the political arena. He recently announced his decision to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Baharampur seat in West Bengal as a candidate for the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) party. This move marks a departure from his illustrious cricketing career, where he played for renowned teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Political Aspiration and Candidacy:
Pathan's foray into politics has generated significant interest and speculation. The TMC, led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is hoping to capitalize on his popularity and connect with voters in the region. Pathan's decision to run for office comes after a successful career in cricket, where he was known for his aggressive batting and effective medium-pace bowling.
Challenges and Competition:
While Pathan's entry into politics has created buzz, he faces a formidable challenge in the Baharampur constituency. The incumbent MP, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress party, has held the seat for five consecutive terms and enjoys a strong following in the region. Other candidates from various parties are also expected to contest the election, making the race highly competitive.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. What is Yusuf Pathan's political affiliation? A: Yusuf Pathan is a candidate for the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) party.
2. What seat is he contesting from? A: He is contesting from the Baharampur seat in West Bengal.
3. Who is his main opponent? A: His main opponent is Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress party.
4. What is Pathan's background in cricket? A: Pathan is a former Team India cricketer who played for teams like KKR and RR in the IPL.
5. Why did Pathan decide to enter politics? A: His reasons for entering politics are not officially known, but it is speculated that he wants to serve his community and contribute to the development of his constituency.
Punjab Kings made a statement at the IPL 2025 mega auction, securing the services of Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer for a whopping INR 26.75 crores. This made Iyer the most expensive player in IPL history, before being surpassed by Rishabh Pant who was bought for INR 27 crores by Lucknow Super Giants. PBKS had the largest purse of INR 110.5 crores and retained only two players from last season, making impressive signings such as Yuzvendra Chahal and coach Ricky Ponting.
Punjab Kings made waves in the IPL 2022 auction by acquiring top-rated spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for a record-breaking price of INR 18 crore. Despite being out of the national team, Chahal's alluring performance in previous IPL seasons and his skills as a leg-spinner made him a hot property in the auction. With this signing, Punjab Kings have further strengthened their already formidable team, making them a top contender for the upcoming season.
The 2025 IPL mega auction saw the Rajasthan Royals make some strategic purchases, with the team adding five new players to its roster. Among its top picks were England pacer Jofra Archer and Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. Fans can look forward to an exciting season as the team gears up for 2025.
In a pivotal moment of the first Test between India and Australia, stand-in captain Virat Kohli convinced ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah to take the Decision Review System (DRS) after the on-field umpire initially ruled out debutant Nathan McSweeney. The review ultimately led to McSweeney's dismissal, giving India the crucial breakthrough they needed. Despite a rocky start for the Indian top-order, a partnership between Rishabh Pant and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy helped them reach a total of 150 before the end of the day. With Australia still trailing by 83 runs, India will look to build on their momentum in the second innings.
In a dominant display, Kerala Blasters defeated Chennaiyin FC 3-0 in an Indian Super League match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Despite a strong start from Chennaiyin, who were missing key players due to illness and suspension, Blasters took the lead early in the second half and never looked back. The win keeps Kerala in the hunt for a playoff spot, while Chennaiyin's hopes of a top-four finish took a hit.
Zimbabwe pulls off a shocking upset against Pakistan in the first match of their three-match One Day International series. Despite a shaky start, Zimbabwe manages to put up a respectable 205 runs thanks to Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava's partnership. With an impressive performance from debutant Faisal Akram, Zimbabwe bowls out Pakistan for just 125 runs, securing an 80-run win on the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern system. This report is brought to you by Reuters.
After being a key member of the Mumbai Indians' title-winning campaign in the IPL 2020 season, Trent Boult returns to the franchise in the mega IPL 2025 auction. The 35-year-old New Zealand pacer has established himself as one of the best new ball bowlers in the world, with a total of 317 test wickets, 211 ODI wickets, and 83 T20I wickets. Known for his ability to swing the new ball, Boult has also been a crucial member of India's test team, helping them win the ICC World Test Championship in 2021. After playing for five different IPL franchises, Boult's return to Mumbai Indians is bound to make headlines in the cricket world.
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, known for his explosive batting and off-spin bowling, will be rejoining Punjab Kings for the IPL 2025 season. This will mark his fourth stint with the franchise, having previously played for Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians as well. Despite attracting interest from other teams, Maxwell's value of INR 4.2 crores came as a surprise to many, given his reputation as one of the top players in the T20I format. Fans can look forward to a strong partnership between Maxwell and Shreyas Iyer in the Punjab Kings' middle order.
The IPL 2024 Auction saw intense bidding for former KKR captain Shreyas Iyer, who was eventually sold to Punjab Kings for a staggering Rs 26.75 crore, the highest ever bid in IPL history. KKR and Punjab Kings engaged in a heated bidding war for Iyer, with the player's base price of Rs 2 crore quickly escalating to Rs 20 crore. In the end, it was Punjab Kings who secured Iyer for their team, leaving fans stunned and excited for the upcoming season.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction witnessed a heated bidding war for young wicket-keeper opener Ishan Kishan. The 26-year-old left-handed batsman was eventually bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping price of INR 11.25 crore. With his success in international cricket and impressive IPL record, Kishan has become one of the most sought-after players in the auction. His previous teams, Gujarat Lions and Mumbai Indians, also showed interest in him but it was SRH who secured his services.