Cricketer Dodda Ganesh joins Janata Dal(S)

Bangalore, June 27 (UNI) Former India medium pacer Dodda Ganesh embarked upon a new innings as he took upon a political career by joining the Janata Dal (Secular).

Former India skipper Mohammed Azaruddin was present when Ganesh shook hands with former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda at a simple function held in the JD(S) office here today.

Speaking after joining the party, Ganesh said it was Azaruddin who advised him to join JD(S), though he had an invitation from other national parties to join them.

Apart from playing 104 first class matches claiming 365 wickets, mainly for Karnataka, Ganesh made his international debut against South Africa in 1997 and during his short international career he played four test matches and one ODI.

''Some national parties had invited me after I expressed interest in joining politics. But it was 'Ajju bhai' who advised me to join JD(S),'' Ganesh said.

Meanwhile, formeer Indian skipper Azhar hoped that Ganesh would fare better in Politics. ''People like cricket and they do everything in style. Ganesh owes a lot to the people of Karnataka and I am confident as a politician he would serve them better,'' Azhar said.

Doda Ganesh is latest in the growing list of cricketers who have ventured in the field of politics after hanging their boots.

Chetan Chauhan, Kirti Azad, Navjot Singh Sidhu are some former players who made their mark in politics.

UNI