Sreesanth at the wedding which he 'gate-crashed' as part of his election campaign.
Highlights
- Former Team India bowler is BJP candidate in Thiruvananthapuram
- 33-year-old is taking on Congress veteran, Health Minister Siva Kumar
- Am a test player, I have stamina to last, says Sreesanth to NDTV
For his tenure with the Indian cricket team, S Sreesanth was a flamboyant player.
It's that sort of swagger that the 33-year-old is trying to quickly find as he campaigns for the BJP, which he joined last month. A ban after a match-fixing scandal has ruled out any more cricket for Mr Sreesanth, who was arrested in 2013, before being granted bail.
As his supporters urge him to gate-crash a wedding this morning, in his constituency of Thiruvanthapuram as part of his campaign, Mr Sreesanth seems a little inhibited as he enters the venue. There are nearly 700 guests - the audience size is unnerving yet worthy of some quick goodwill hunting.
"I want to tell my rivals that I am not a T20 player. I am a test player. I am in politics to stay," he said after the wedding to NDTV.
Mr Sreesanth is up against the current Health Minister, VS Sivakumar of the Congress ,who has also represented Thiruvananthapuram in parliament.
"We have brought a medical college, nursing school, roads in this constituency. I have a bond of 40 years with Trivandrum. I don't think the people will accept any outsider," he said.
Mr Sreesanth comes from the Ernakulam district in Kerala.
His political launch has not been entirely graceful- photos that he tweeted after joining the BJP were met with some online hmmmph.
But the former member of the Rajasthan Royals is working on his PR skills. Like chatting over idlis with a group of voters at a breakfast hosted by a fan.
"I have always liked seeing Sreesanth play cricket and I have been waiting to see him in person. He is Kerala's star and will do well in politics," said Rajeshwari, a teacher in her 40s.
Like the idlis, selfies were in quick supply. Despite some fanning, it wasn't all fawning.
"I am a big fan of Sreesanth - the cricketer. But I think joining politics is a mistake he is making," said Prasad K, a student, as he left the breakfast gathering.