Former cricketers, teammates make political debut for TMC, BJP in West Bengal polls

Two former cricketers , who have played several matches together will make their debut in electoral politics, albeit for rival parties, in the West Bengal Assembly elections. With BJP’s decision to field former Indian speedster Ashoke Dinda from the Moyna Assembly seat, he will contest his first election along with his former teammate Manoj Tiwary who has been fielded by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) from the Shibpur Assembly constituency.

Although they will not be in a direct fight against each other, but their political debut in one of the most intense elections shows that both the TMC and the BJP are keen on making the most of the popularity of their celebrity candidates.

Read | TMC’s celebrity candidates face tall task in Bengal polls

Dinda, who recently joined the BJP in presence of Union Minister Babul Supriyo, had announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in February. The 36 year old pacer from East Medinipur district, known for his consistent speed, has played for the national team in 13 one day cricket matches and nine T20 matches, respectively getting 12 and 17 wickets.

Making his debut in first class cricket for Bengal played 116 first class matches bagging a whooping 420 wickets. He also 26 five wicket hauls under his belt. He made his IPL debut for the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008 and later went on to play for the Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Supergiants.

He made his national team debut for in 2009 in a T20 match against Sri Lanka. He took 17 wickets in nine T20 matches and 12 wickets in 13 one day matches for the Indian team.

Dinda’s former teammate Tiwari who joined the TMC in February played 12 one day matches for India scoring 287 runs. He played in three T20 matches for the country scoring 15 runs. However, Tiwari is considered to be a legend in domestic cricket. He hails from Howrah district. He has also played in the IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders, Pune Supergiants and the Kings XI Punjab.