Former Indian captain and Telangana Congress chief Mohammad Azharuddin casts his vote in Hyderabad

As 2019 Lok Sabha elections begin in nation on Thursday with voting for first phase entailing 91 seats kicking off, small but growing community of sportspersons who have turned politician has also me its presence felt.

Former Indian Cricket team captain Mohamm Azharuddin was seen coming out after casting his vote in Hyderab on Thursday. im of  former cricketer was posted on ANI's twitter account.

veteran of 99 Tests and 334 One Day Internationals who h led India in three consecutive World Cup in 90's h joined Indian National Congress in 2009. He ended up winning Indian General Elections in same year from Morab, Uttar Presh to become Member of Parliament. Currently, Azharuddin is Working President of Telangana Presh Congress Committee, though he has t been fielded by party in state. 

RE: 2019 Lok Sabha Elections: Bhaichung Bhutia Votes, Issues Mess For Citizens

Whereas one former Indian cricketer was casting his vote down south, furr up rth, ar Team India star from a different era than Azharuddin - Gautam Gambhir - was campaigning on behalf of MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh in Jammu. Gambhir, who recently joined BJP, h taken on Azharuddin just a few months ago following a row over Azhar. 2011 World Cup winner h expressed his disappointment on social media when Azharuddin h rang bell at iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata to mark beginning  of first Twenty20 International (T20I) between India and West Indies.

Apart from two cricketer-turned-politicians, a former Indian football icon, Bhaichung Bhutia has also got in on electoral action. ex-striker who h also founded his own party,  'Hamro Sikkim', last year posted his photograph on Twitter after he casting his vote and urged people to exercise ir right to vote in order to elect a good representative for mselves.

Voting for 543 Lok Sabha seats is be held in seven phases: April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. Counting will be done on May 23.