Indian cricketer Praveen Kumar on Sunday announced his decision to join the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, PTI reported. The cricketer praised the state's chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, and said the Samajwadi Party leader had done a lot for sportspersons in Uttar Pradesh, including building stadiums in Lucknow and Saifai.

Kumar said, "I have met the chief minister and have decided to join the [Samajwadi] party. I will do whatever is possible for the party." Kumar, a right-arm medium-pace bowler, has played six test matches and 68 One Day Internationals for India. He also plays for the Gujarat Lions in the Indian Premier League.

On contesting the state Assembly elections in 2017, Kumar said, "I am a kid in this field. As of now I will try to learn it [politics]." The Hindustan Times reported that Kumar, who comes from a family of traditional wrestlers in Meerut, will continue to play cricket.