Panaji, July 23 (CRICKETNMORE): Left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati, who is one of the two cricketers from Goa to have played in the Indian Premier League (IPL), on Saturday joined a regional political outfit in the poll-bound state.
Announcing his decision on Twitter, Jakati said he he plans to bring the ethos of the "gentleman's game" to the field of politics.
Read Shadab Jakati's Tweet here ►
"Cricket is my life! Now it's time to take Goa Forward n make politics a gentleman's game," said Jakati, who played under limited overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the now-banned Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise.
Sources in the new regional political outfit 'Goa Forward', which has signed the Vasco-based Jakati said that the spinner could be fielded as a candidate from the Dabolim legislative assembly constituency in South Goa, which located close to Jakati's home. Brendon McCullum picks his all-time playing eleven.
It is however, not yet clear whether Jakati will quit playing for his current franchise Gujarat Lions after taking the political plunge.
Speaking to a news agency, Goa Forward spokesperson Durgadas Kamat said: "He has been impressed with Goa Forward's model of projecting and promoting young fresh faces as espoused by Fatorda MLA VIjay Sardesai (who is currently a party mentor). He believes Goa Forward will take the youth and Goa forward". Eoin Morgan picks his all-time playing eleven.
Goa Forward is expected to formally welcome Jakati into its fold at a formal function later on Saturday. The smallest state in India is expected to go to poll in early 2017.