<p>In India, cricket and politics have a long and historical relationship. It's an eternal and inseparable partnership that recalls husband and wife vows. Every region of India is completely enthralled with the game of cricket; it enthralls everyone, even the nation's leaders who make the majority of the decisions. There is no story quite like the one about the romance between politicians and cricket.</p>
<p>India's two greatest passions, politics and cricket, seem to be twisted by faith and placed in each other's paths. They also always find common ground. Political ties bind cricket associations from east to west and north to south. Politicians from all political parties have led cricket issues and managed several cricket boards, including Amit Shah and Sharad Pawar.</p>
<hr>
<h2>Let's look at the five political leaders who shared a passion for cricket:</h2>
<h3>5. NKP Salve</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1706067860177_NKP-Salve.jpeg" alt="NKP Salve" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>NKP Salve. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><span>Narendra Kumar Prasadrao&nbsp;</span>Salve aka NKP Salve was a impeccable man who wore multiple hats. Apart from being a minister with the Congress Party, he played an instrumental role in bringing the Cricket World Cup to India despite all the odds. When India made the final, the then BCCI president NKP Salve was invited to watch it at the Lord's where he asked the England Cricket Board (ECB) officials for some extra passes for other BCCI officials but much to his surprise, his request was denied.</p>
<p>Salve was hurt but he used this as a great opportunity that changed the World Cricket. The World Cup shifted from England for the first time and it is Mr Salve who owes all the credits for it.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Arun Jaitley:</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1706069842694_IMG-20240124-WA0004.jpeg" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Arun Jaitley, a prominent BJP leader and former Union finance minister, passed away on Saturday in Delhi at the age of 66. An ardent cricket follower, Jaitley had made his love for the sport public. His groundbreaking effort as a visionary cricket administrator will always be recognized. He set out to remove the corrupt and incompetent history he inherited as the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president when he assumed office in 1999.</p>
<p>Jaitley was greeted with warm arms by former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi, who described him as an administrator who had cricket "near and dear to his heart." Following 14 years in the DDCA, Jaitley decided to "move on" and take on more responsibility within the Central government.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO CHECK: <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/indian-cricketers-and-their-political-equivalents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Cricketers and their political equivalents</a></strong></p>
<h3><br>3. General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1706067710207_General-Zia-ul-Haq.jpeg" alt="General Zia-ul-Haq" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>General Zia-ul-Haq. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Cricket has even been used to avoid wars, such has been the might of this game. Just before the World Cup, famously regarded as the Reliance of 1987, tensions arose at the borders of India and Pakistan - the two countries who were going to co-host the World Cup for the first time.</p>
<p>Salve had worked hard to move the World Cup out of England to bring it to India, but it looked in trouble due to the military tensions between the two countries. That is when General Zia-ul-Haq, the General of Pakistan was contacted and he came to a surprise visit to India where he watched a cricket game with India’s Prime Minister, hence pushing the tensions away. This marked an eventual great change in world cricket.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Anthony Albanese</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1706067996491_Anthony-albanese-and-Rishi-sunak.jpeg" alt="Anthony albanese and Rishi sunak" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Anthony albanese and Rishi sunak. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On the occasion of the fourth test match of the 2023 Border Gavaskar Trophy, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi hosted Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese at Narendra Modi Stadium in March 2023. The purpose of the gathering was to honour the 75 years of diplomatic and cricket connections between the two nations. Inside the stadium, the two PMs went to the "Hall of Fame" museum.</p>
<p>He was also seen joking and referring to 'The Ashes' which is the iconic Test Match series between England and Australia over the years, when he met with the British Prime Minister Mr Rishi Sunak. Sunak responded well with the Sandpaper in return, referring to the sandpaper incident.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Sharad Pawar</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1706067916225_Sharad-Pawar.jpeg" alt="Sharad Pawar" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Sharad Pawar. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>One of India's most influential regional politicians is Sharad Pawar. Pawar's only link to cricket when he was originally appointed state minister in 1966 was through his father-in-law, Sadu Shinde, a Test legspinner who had toured England in 1946. However, Pawar's engagement with the game and its management grew with time.</p>
<p>Outside of politics, Pawar presided over the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2010 to 2012 and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2005 to 2008. From October 2013 to January 2017, he presided over the Mumbai Cricket Association as its president.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO CHECK: <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/four-instances-when-cricketers-challenged-iccs-political-guidelines/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Four instances when cricketers challenged ICC's political guidelines</a></strong></p>

<p>In India, cricket and politics have a long and historical relationship. It's an eternal and inseparable partnership that recalls husband and wife vows. Every region of India is completely enthralled with the game of cricket; it enthralls everyone, even the nation's leaders who make the majority of the decisions. There is no story quite like the one about the romance between politicians and cricket.</p>
<p>India's two greatest passions, politics and cricket, seem to be twisted by faith and placed in each other's paths. They also always find common ground. Political ties bind cricket associations from east to west and north to south. Politicians from all political parties have led cricket issues and managed several cricket boards, including Amit Shah and Sharad Pawar.</p>
<hr>
<h2>Let's look at the five political leaders who shared a passion for cricket:</h2>
<h3>5. NKP Salve</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1706067860177_NKP-Salve.jpeg" alt="NKP Salve" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>NKP Salve. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><span>Narendra Kumar Prasadrao&nbsp;</span>Salve aka NKP Salve was a impeccable man who wore multiple hats. Apart from being a minister with the Congress Party, he played an instrumental role in bringing the Cricket World Cup to India despite all the odds. When India made the final, the then BCCI president NKP Salve was invited to watch it at the Lord's where he asked the England Cricket Board (ECB) officials for some extra passes for other BCCI officials but much to his surprise, his request was denied.</p>
<p>Salve was hurt but he used this as a great opportunity that changed the World Cricket. The World Cup shifted from England for the first time and it is Mr Salve who owes all the credits for it.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Arun Jaitley:</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1706069842694_IMG-20240124-WA0004.jpeg" loading="lazy">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Arun Jaitley, a prominent BJP leader and former Union finance minister, passed away on Saturday in Delhi at the age of 66. An ardent cricket follower, Jaitley had made his love for the sport public. His groundbreaking effort as a visionary cricket administrator will always be recognized. He set out to remove the corrupt and incompetent history he inherited as the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president when he assumed office in 1999.</p>
<p>Jaitley was greeted with warm arms by former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi, who described him as an administrator who had cricket "near and dear to his heart." Following 14 years in the DDCA, Jaitley decided to "move on" and take on more responsibility within the Central government.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO CHECK: <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/indian-cricketers-and-their-political-equivalents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Cricketers and their political equivalents</a></strong></p>
<h3><br>3. General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1706067710207_General-Zia-ul-Haq.jpeg" alt="General Zia-ul-Haq" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>General Zia-ul-Haq. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Cricket has even been used to avoid wars, such has been the might of this game. Just before the World Cup, famously regarded as the Reliance of 1987, tensions arose at the borders of India and Pakistan - the two countries who were going to co-host the World Cup for the first time.</p>
<p>Salve had worked hard to move the World Cup out of England to bring it to India, but it looked in trouble due to the military tensions between the two countries. That is when General Zia-ul-Haq, the General of Pakistan was contacted and he came to a surprise visit to India where he watched a cricket game with India’s Prime Minister, hence pushing the tensions away. This marked an eventual great change in world cricket.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Anthony Albanese</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1706067996491_Anthony-albanese-and-Rishi-sunak.jpeg" alt="Anthony albanese and Rishi sunak" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Anthony albanese and Rishi sunak. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On the occasion of the fourth test match of the 2023 Border Gavaskar Trophy, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi hosted Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese at Narendra Modi Stadium in March 2023. The purpose of the gathering was to honour the 75 years of diplomatic and cricket connections between the two nations. Inside the stadium, the two PMs went to the "Hall of Fame" museum.</p>
<p>He was also seen joking and referring to 'The Ashes' which is the iconic Test Match series between England and Australia over the years, when he met with the British Prime Minister Mr Rishi Sunak. Sunak responded well with the Sandpaper in return, referring to the sandpaper incident.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Sharad Pawar</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1706067916225_Sharad-Pawar.jpeg" alt="Sharad Pawar" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Sharad Pawar. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>One of India's most influential regional politicians is Sharad Pawar. Pawar's only link to cricket when he was originally appointed state minister in 1966 was through his father-in-law, Sadu Shinde, a Test legspinner who had toured England in 1946. However, Pawar's engagement with the game and its management grew with time.</p>
<p>Outside of politics, Pawar presided over the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2010 to 2012 and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2005 to 2008. From October 2013 to January 2017, he presided over the Mumbai Cricket Association as its president.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO CHECK: <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/four-instances-when-cricketers-challenged-iccs-political-guidelines/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Four instances when cricketers challenged ICC's political guidelines</a></strong></p>

In India, cricket and politics have a long and historical relationship. It's an eternal and inseparable partnership that recalls husband and wife vows. Every region of India is completely enthralled w

Five Political leaders who shared a passion for cricket

5 Political leaders who shared a passion for cricket.

5 Political leaders who shared a passion for cricket

Check out the top five political leaders who shared a profound passion for cricket.