*October 3, 2024 – Haryana* Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has attracted significant attention after publicly endorsing Congress candidate Anirudh Chaudhary ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, which are set to take place on October 5. The results of the elections will be announced on October 8.In a video shared by news agency PTI, Sehwag expressed his support for Chaudhary, calling him his “elder brother.” Anirudh Chaudhary, 48, is the son of former BCCI president Ranbir Mahendra and the grandson of former Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal. He is competing in the Tosham constituency, where he faces a family rival in BJP candidate Shruti Choudhary, Bansi Lal’s granddaughter and the daughter of Surender Singh, Bansi Lal’s younger son.Sehwag urged voters to back Anirudh Chaudhary, emphasizing his personal connection to the candidate’s family. “I consider him [Anirudh Chaudhary] as my elder brother, and his father [Ranbir Singh Mahendra], who also served as [BCCI] president, had supported me a lot. This is one of the most important days for him, and I feel I would be able to help him. I urge the people of Tosham to help Anirudh Chaudhary win,” Sehwag said in his statement.Sehwag’s public endorsement has sparked debate on social media, with reactions ranging from surprise to disappointment. Many netizens were taken aback by the cricketer’s foray into politics. One user on X (formerly Twitter) called the endorsement “surprising,” writing, “That’s a surprising endorsement! Virender Sehwag’s support for Congress could bring a new wave of attention to the party. It’s always interesting to see sports figures get involved in politics! Let’s see how this impacts the election!”However, not all reactions were positive. Another user criticized Sehwag for his decision, suggesting that he had damaged his reputation as a celebrated cricketer. “Whatever respect he had gained as a cricketer who played for the country, he managed to wash everything away in a day. A good story coming to a sad break,” the user wrote.Some commenters raised questions about Sehwag’s political stance, with one user suggesting that his endorsement was opportunistic. “Did he change his ideology or just took an opportunity?” the user questioned, highlighting uncertainty over whether Sehwag’s decision was motivated by personal loyalty or a shift in political beliefs.