Ravindra Jadeja steps into politics, joins Narendra Modi's BJP
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja along with his wife Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja presenting flower bouquet to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 16, 2023. Photo: Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja/Facebook
Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja has officially stepped into politics by joining Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to Indian media reports.
Jadeja's entry into politics follows in the footsteps of his wife, Rivaba Jadeja, who is already a BJP Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Jamnagar.
Rivaba took to X to announce the news, sharing images of the couple holding their new BJP membership cards.
She mentioned the party’s ongoing membership drive, which commenced on September 2 and included the renewal of PM Modi's membership.
Rivaba joined the BJP in 2019 and successfully contested the Jamnagar North assembly seat in the 2022 elections, defeating Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Karshanbhai Karmur by over 50,000 votes.
Ravindra Jadeja, 35, recently retired from T20 international cricket after India's historic victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup against South Africa in June.
Since his debut in 2009, Jadeja has represented India in 74 T20I matches, scoring 515 runs at a strike rate of 127.16 and taking 54 wickets with an average of 29.85.
With his political journey now underway, Jadeja joins the ranks of sports stars who have transitioned to public service.