Renowned for his explosive batting skills and knack for single-handedly winning matches in his prime, former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan, now 42 years old, is set to test his abilities in the political arena. He aims to challenge Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and potentially cause an upset.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has nominated Pathan to contest against Adhir from Baharampur, presenting a tough challenge for the ex-cricketer. Pathan, a significant figure in the teams that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, as well as a player for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), faces an experienced opponent in Chowdhury, who has held the Baharampur seat since 1999.
Born in Baroda to a Gujarati Pathan family in 1982, Pathan earned his first India cap in 2007 following his brother Irfan. He made his debut in the T20 World Cup final against Pakistan, where India emerged victorious. Known for his powerful hitting, Pathan continued to represent India in white-ball cricket for the next four years, including the 2011 World Cup.
In 2011, Pathan was bought by KKR for Rs 9.66 crore and contributed to two IPL title victories. He retired from all forms of cricket in 2021 and now leads a peaceful life on his farm in Vadodara. Pathan’s popularity will be leveraged by the TMC in their bid to break the Congress monopoly in Baharampur, a constituency where the Muslim community’s support plays a significant role.
The Congress leader may face a tough battle as indicated by the results of past elections. In the 2016 Assembly polls, the Congress won all seven segments within the Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency. However, the 2021 state elections showed a shift in favor of the TMC, with the BJP also making gains. This sets the stage for an intense electoral contest in Baharampur.