The cricket community is abuzz with anticipation as former Indian cricketer, Navjot Singh Sidhu, announces his return to the commentary box for the coming Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024. After a significant hiatus away from the microphone, Sidhu is poised to once again grace the airwaves, bringing his inimitable style and enthusiasm to the fore in what promises to be a scintillating edition of the IPL.
As the official broadcaster, Star Sports is set to cater to the excitement of legions of cricket fans by featuring Sidhu, much to their collective delight. With the IPL’s first match impending on March 22, where the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will face the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, fans are assured vibrant commentary that has long been synonymous with Sidhu’s persona.
Speaking with confidence and ardor as always, Navjot Singh Sidhu shared his sentiments on his return to commentary. “Boss, cricket is my first love. If your hobby becomes your profession there is nothing better than that. A duckling would never forget how to swim, I will take to commentary like a fish takes to water,” he declared to PTI with typical flair.
This comeback is not only professional but also deeply personal for the 60-year-old Sidhu, who recently exited the realm of politics and navigated challenging times in his private life. Now, with renewed enthusiasm, Sidhu is ready to make his mark once again in the field he so passionately adores.
Speaking about his strategy for life and his resilience, Sidhu stated, “The secret of my life is that I switch on and switch off. It was difficult for me to switch off from politics but then the age of miracles has not passed. The difficult is done at once, the impossible takes a little while longer. The mental fortitude will sail me through any situation now. In cricket, I have made 20 odd comebacks, this is my first comeback to commentary. I was in the swing of things from 1999 to 2014-15 (commentary). A gem cannot be polished without friction nor a man perfected without trials.”
Sidhu, known for his aggressive batting as an opener for India, also reflected on the importance of the IPL as a precursor to the World Cup. He underscored that the league will not only be a battleground for domestic players but also for international cricketers seeking to secure a spot in the T20 World Cup.
Expressing his opinion on cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Sidhu said, “The IPL will set the tone for the World Cup. There is no other cricket happening. The eyes of the world are on IPL. This is where you can snatch a berth for the T20 World Cup, not only Indians, even the foreign players.”
Praising the cricketing giants, he further remarked, “They (Kohli and Rohit) will be needed there. These are giants of the cricketing world. Form is like the morning dew, it can elude you but the class of these people has a stamp of authority. I would rate Kohli as the greatest Indian batsman for the simple reason, his fitness, he is getting fitter with age like old wine does. Technically very sound and he has the uncanny knack of adapting to all three formats, same goes for Rohit.”
As the excitement for the 2024 IPL intensifies, news of Sidhu’s return has injected an additional thrill into the proceedings. The cricketing fraternity awaits with bated breath as one of its most colorful characters prepares to dispense wit, wisdom, and analysis, enhancing the splendor of what is already considered one of the premier spectacles in the sporting landscape.
