Sportspersons join politics for ego, Sehwag takes a dig at Gambhir

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag said on Tuesday that sports personalities should refrain from entering politics, suggesting that the ones who do so are there only for "ego and hunger for power".

There is a considerable number of athletes in India that have joined politics after retirement.

But Sehwag, who retired from the game in 2015, said he was never interested in politics.

"I am not at all interested in politics. Have been approached by both major parties in the last two elections," Sehwag wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"My view is that most entertainers or sportsman should not enter politics as most are there for their own ego and hunger for power and barely spare genuine time for people; few are exceptions, but generally, most only do PR.

"I love being involved with cricket and commentating, and being a part-time MP whenever convenient is not something I ever aspire for."

The cricketer was responding to a man who "thought" Sehwag should have been an MP before Gautam Gambhir.

Sehwag's comment comes just a day after his ex-India and Delhi colleague Gambhir found himself at the centre of a controversy following an offensive middle finger gesture to a section of the crowd in Pallekele during India's Asia Cup match against Pakistan.

In his clarification, Gambhir accused some fans of chanting anti-India slogans.

"When you come to watch sport don't indulge in political sloganeering. If you are shouting anti-India slogans and Kashmir slogans you can't expect me to keep quiet. Social media never gives you full picture," he had told reporters on Monday.

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