MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir might join BJP soon as per reports | Photo - PTI/AP |

Gautam Gambhir's name is once again being linked with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with reports claiming that the veteran cricketer could become one of the party's candidates and contest in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from his home state. Along with him, another surprising name that has been linked with the BJP is that of former Indian captain and wicket-keeper-batsman MS Dhoni's. As per reports, BJP is in talks with the Ranchi-born cricketer to contest polls from Jharkhand.

Gambhir who last played for India in November 2016 is currently the captain of Delhi and was in fine form as he helped them reach the final of the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018. Gambhir and co lost the final clash against Mumbai and had to settle with a runners-up spot. While the cricketer is yet to announce his retirement from competitive cricket, he has been on a number of occasions touted to enter politics with the kind of popularity and massive fan following that he enjoys across the nation.

As per a report in The Sunday Guardian, the BJP is likely to replace Meenakshi Lekhi, who is a Member of Parliament from Delhi with Gambhir. The report claims that party insiders are not happy with the feedback about Lekhi's work and want to rope in the veteran batsman as their star campaigner for the 2019 elections.

“Reports from the ground about Meenakshi Lekhi are not good. People from her constituency are not happy with her work and the party leadership has decided that she will not be repeated this time as a candidate from New Delhi. Gautam Gambhir, in most likelihood, will be the party’s candidate from the same seat. He has wide acceptability and is known for his social work. He is a Delhiite and will do his best for the people of Delhi," a senior BJP leader was quoted as saying by the Sunday Guardian.

The report further claims that the party is also in talks with Dhoni to convince him for the 2019 elections. BJP wants to capitalise on the staggering popularity of the two cricketers and let them campaign for the party throughout the nation.

"Both players have wide acceptability, respect, and credibility across the country and are regarded as leaders by all sections of society. They are not only leaders from their respective states but also leaders of the country. Dhoni is currently the captain of the Chennai Super Kings team playing at the IPL (Indian Premier League) and thus has reach and mass base even in the southern parts of India. Both these players joining the party will be an asset for us,” the BJP leader, quoted earlier, added.

It will certainly be a huge boost for the ruling party to have Gambhir and Dhoni in their ranks with the 2019 elections in focus. Both the cricketers have a formidable fan base and are national heroes for their achievements on the cricket pitch, While Gambhir is currently playing domestic cricket for Delhi, Dhoni remains a vital cog of the Indian team and is currently plying his trade for the Virat Kohli-led side in the ongoing West Indies ODI series.