Mohammed Shami To Join BJP Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls 2024? Report Claims India Pacer May Contest From Bengal

The India pacer, who made the headlines with his stunning performance in ODI World Cup 2023 at home, plays for Bengal in domestic cricket but hails from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh. However, he hasn’t played any form of cricket since the ODI World Cup due to an injury.

According to an India Today TV report, the BJP leadership has already sent a proposal to Shami and the discussions have been positive. It is also understood that fielding Sham in the minority-dominated constituencies in Bengal could raise the possibility of BJP winning from there.

BJP’s primary focus would be to field Shami from the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, the latest hotbed for newsmakers after the Sandeshkhali violence. However, the veteran fast bowler is yet to come to a conclusion. This id not the first time, Bengal cricketers have joined politics.

Before Shami, his one-time Bengal teammates Manoj Tiwari and Ashok Dinda joined politics. While Tiwari joined Trinamool Congress and is a Minister of State for Affairs of Sports and Youth, former pacer Dinda is a member of West Bengal Legislative Assembly while representing BJP.

Meanwhile, Shami has a good relationship with the BJP top brass including PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. While PM Modi and Shah met Shami after India’s World Cup final loss last year to Australia, Adityanath has announced the construction of the cricket stadium in the cricketer’s native village in Amroha.

As far his cricket is concerned, Shami on the sidelines due to injury and missed home T20I series against Australia, Afghanistan, and tour of South Africa. Last month, Shami underwent an Achilles Tendon surgery in United Kingdom and is all set to miss the initial phase of IPL 2024.

Recently, Shami posted a picture from his hospital bed. “Just had a successful heel operation on my achilles tendon!  Recovery is going to take some time, but looking forward to getting back on my feet quickly. love you all,” he posted on Instagram last week.