When speaking to the media after day 2 of the Sydney Test, Sidhu sated that these sort of massive decisions have to be taken before or after a series, and not when a series is underway.

“My take on the Rohit Sharma issue is very simple. Such decisions have to be taken before or after a series. Horses cannot be changed midstream and here is a captain… There will always be opinions, we have a habit of pulling our heroes down. That should not be the case,” Sidhu said.

Sidhu further gave reference of Rohit’s performance of 6 months ago in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where India won the title after defeating South Africa in the finals.

“Six months ago, the man had lifted the World Cup for you and he was scoring runs… At the moment, Indian cricket stands tall like a mountain. We have more and more young players playing, people are gravitating towards our country, and India sits at the top of ICC as well…” added Sidhu. 

“Rohit Sharma represents 150 crore Indians as a captain… During a series, when you remove him, you are sending the wrong signals,” Sidhu concluded.

Coming to the match, the pitch of the Sydney Ground helped bowlers as the game saw fall of 15 wickets on Day 2 of the fifth Test match. Indian premium pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is also the stand-in captain of the team for the match, was also seen leaving the ground due to a back injury.

The post ‘Cannot be changed…’: Former Indian cricketer’s massive comment on Rohit Sharma ‘Opting Out’ from Sydney test appeared first on Cricket Country.

Though there were reports about him missing the match, it has still taken the cricket fraternity by surprise, along with a lot of people believing that the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Test was the last Test match for Rohit Sharma. Many have said that that Rohit Sharma has been dropped, and it got covered by the label of ‘rested.’ Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu is not happy with the decision to keep Rohit out of the match.

“A Captain should never be dropped midstream nor given the option to opt out … sends wrong signals …. Have seen Captain s like Mark Taylor , Azharuddin etc persisted as captain for a year despite bad form. @ImRo45 deserved more respect and faith from the management … Bizarre coz it happened for the first time in Indian cricket history …. Blunder – for a fallen lighthouse is more dangerous than a reef,” Navjot Singh Sidhu captioned his video where he talked about Rohit’s absence.

A Captain should never be dropped midstream nor given the option to opt out … sends wrong signals …. Have seen Captain s like Mark Taylor , Azharuddin etc persisted as captain for a year despite bad form …. @ImRo45 deserved more respect and faith from the management …… pic.twitter.com/OJcSF9r3fU

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) January 3, 2025

Sidhu affirmed that a captain should never be dropped, nor shall he be allowed to opt out since it sends a wrong message. He even stated gave the example of Mark Taylor and Mohammad Azharuddin, further adding that Rohit deserved more respect from the management.

The post ‘Should never be Dropped…’: Indian legend burst out at team management’s decision to let Rohit Sharma opt out of Sydney Test appeared first on Cricket Country.

This was when he did the offensive celebration, as he pointed one finger to his other hand which was somewhat forming a circle. Initially, a lot of people criticised this behaviour before Cummins and the broadcasters could explain it.

“Oh, sorry! Yes, okay! I can explain that. His finger is so hot, that he is going to put it in a cup of ice. Yes, that’s what it is. That’s normally the running joke. Was it at the Gabba or somewhere, where he got a wicket as well and just got straight to the fridge, grabs a bucket of ice, puts his finger in and just walks in front of Lyno (Nathan Lyon). Just like that, thinks its very funny. So that’s what it would have been, nothing else,” Par Cummins said in the post-match conference.

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu was massively disappointed with this celebration, and called it ‘obnoxious’ behaviour. He has also made request for a massive punishment for Head, since he believed that the gesture by the Australian bowler was not an insult to an individual but to the whole nation.

“Travis head’s obnoxious behaviour during the course of the Melbourne test doesn’t auger well for for the gentleman’s game…… sets the worst possible example when there are kids, women , young & old watching the game……. this caustic conduct did not insult an individual but a nation of 1.5 billion Indians……stringent punishment that would serve a deterrent for the future generations needs to be slapped on him so that no one dares follow suit,” Sidhu wrote on X formerly known as Twitter.

Australia won the Boxing-Day Test by 184 runs, and will now be entering the Sydney for the final Test of the five-match Test series with a 2-1 lead. They have a high chance of winning this series and secure their place in the finals of the World Test Championship.

The post ‘Did not insult an Individual but…’: Indian legend demands Travis Head to be strictly punished for ‘Questionable’ celebration appeared first on Cricket Country.

Speaking on Star Sports, Sidhu said about Virat, “When it mattered the most, when 1.5 billion Indians were praying for victory and hoping that we do not choke at the final hurdle, he stood like the rock of Gibraltar in the Sea of Ruins. He kept one end intact and delivered the World Cup crown by performing when India’s ship was stuck.”

Sidhu said that after retiring from T20 international cricket, Virat would be remembered as a “icon and the greatest inspiration” because he would not allow his run-rate to decrease once during the competition.

“In this tournament, even when he scored 38 and 24, he didn’t let the run rate drop. There was a different kind of Virat. Virat Kohli, a man of adversity, a man of masses, a master performer, a genius. For me, he will always be remembered as an icon, as the greatest inspiration, and above all, a cup of joy for billions and billions who watch cricket all over,” he said.

With eight innings remaining in the 2024 tournament, Virat finished with 151 runs at an average of 18.87 and a strike rate of 112.68, including one fifty.

Virat has amassed 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81 in 35 T20 World Cup games, including 15 half-centuries. His greatest score is 89*. In the T20 World Cup’s history, he is the leading run scorer.

In 125 T20I matches, Virat scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. He scored a century and 38 fifties and a best score of 122*. He ends the format as the second-highest run-getter of all time.

After winning the toss, India chose to bat first in the encounter. India was down 34/3, but they rallied with a 72-run counterattack led by Virat (76 in 31 balls, including one four and four sixes) and Axar Patel (47 in 31 balls). In their 20 overs, India reached 176/7 thanks to a 57-run partnership between Virat and Shivam Dube (27 in 16 balls, three fours, and a six.

Keshav Maharaj (2/23) and Anrich Nortje (2/26) were the top bowlers for SA. Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram took a wicket each.

A half-century by Heinrich Klaasen (52 in 27 balls, with two fours and five sixes) threatened to take the game away from India, but Arshdeep Singh (2/18), Jasprit Bumrah (2/20) and Hardik Pandya (3/20) made a fine comeback in the death overs, keeping SA to 169/8 in their 20 overs. Proteas was reduced to 12/2 in the run chase of 177 runs, but a 58-run partnership between Quinton de Kock (39 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Tristan Stubbs (31 in 21 balls, with three fours and a six) brought back SA into the match.

Virat secured the ‘Player of the Match’ for his performance. Now, by securing their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013, India has ended their ICC trophy drought.

The post Navjot Singh Sidhu Hails Virat Kohli’s T20 WC Final Knock in Comical Style appeared first on Cricket Country.

“They will be needed there. These are giants of cricketing world. Form is like the morning dew, it can elude you but class of these people has stamp of authority.

“I would rate Kohli as the greatest Indian batsmen 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,” Sidhu explained in his inimitable style.

“Both are quality players. I am not sure about Rohit’s fitness levels. With age you tend to slow down, your reflexes tend to go. Sehwag with those glasses, his reflexes were not the same, I saw it in the IPL.”

Sidhu keenly followed India’s ODI World Cup campaign last year, as the hosts finished second despite being the only unbeaten team in the group stages. The last loss extended their lengthy wait for a world crown, but Sidhu isn’t worried.

“In the recent World Cup they were playing very well, they just had one bad game, one bad game cannot asses the fortunes of a team. I see the Indian team ruling the roost for a long time because the system that breeds cricketers is very congenial and conducive.

“In my time, people would carry on despite bad form because there were no replacements. Now, Hardik Pandya is replacing the Indian captain as captain at Mumbai Indians because he has performed so well.

“Not that it is derogatory to Rohit but it is just a thought process. The old order must change yielding place to the new,” said Sidhu.

There are several contenders for the wicket-keeper batter’s spot in the World Cup roster, including Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, and KL Rahul.

The post ‘I am not sure about Rohit’s fitness levels’: Navjot Singh Sidhu gives a bold statement appeared first on Cricket Country.

Due to a political endeavour, Sidhu’s commentary career had to take a backseat, but as many had hoped, he is now back in the commentary game. In a social media post, Star revealed the news with the caption, “A wise man once said, ‘Hope is the biggest ‘tope’.”

The IPL is all set to commence from 22 March, with the first match featuring Chennai Super Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The post Navjot Singh Sidhu to Bring Wit and Wisdom to IPL 2024 as he joins as Commentator on Star appeared first on Cricket Country.

Punjab polls are scheduled for next year. There is much chaos in Congress as Ex CM Captain Amarinder Singh said the mission of his party, the Punjab Lok Congress, was to form government in the state and not just defeat the ruling Congress.

Earlier there was a rumour which led to speculations that Harbhajan has decided to join the Bhartiya Janta Party. Harbhajan, without any delay, denied all the speculations and called them fake.

Harbhajan Singh tweeted:

Fake news https://t.co/nxy81qURPX

Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 11, 2021

After that, a tweet from Sidhu went viral in which Harbhajan can be seen meeting him.

Picture loaded with possibilities . With Bhajji the shining star pic.twitter.com/5TWhPzFpNl

Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) December 15, 2021

Written By Sunny Daud

The post Harbhajan Singh to Join Punjab Politics Next? Speculation Rife as Retirement Announcement Comes Days After Spinner’s Meet With Navjot Singh Sidhu appeared first on Cricket Country.

The team management reluctantly let Tendulkar open. The right-handed batsman had volunteered to open the Indian innings to which the team think-tank initially objected as they didn’t want to lose their best batsman to new ball. However, he opened and made a 49-ball 82 to help India chase down a 143-run target in 23.2 overs and win the match by seven wickets.

That knock cemented his place at the top of the order. He made 45 of his 49 centuries batting as an opener. Prior to him opening the batting, he had batted in positions from No. 3 to No. 7, scoring 1758 runs in 69 matches at an average of 30.84 with 13 half-centuries. Most of his fifties in that pre-opening period came at No. 4.

Since this day 27 years ago, when he opened an ODI innings for the first time, Tendulkar scored 15,310 runs in 340 innings as opener, averaging 48.29. Overall, since 27 March, 1994, he made 16,668 runs in 386 innings at an average of 47.08. He batted 35 times at No. 4 (scoring four centuries), nine times at No. 3 and once each at Nos. 5 and 6. In August 2003, he was voted as the “Greatest Sportsman” of the country in the sport personalities category in the Best of India poll conducted by Zee News.

The post This Day, That year: Sachin Tendulkar Opens For The First Time in International Cricket appeared first on Cricket Country.

Opener Rohit Sharma surpassed former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu to hit most sixes in a Test match for India.

Sidhu had struck eight sixes at Lucknow in 1994 against Sri Lanka, a record which lasted for 25 long years. Opening for the first time in Tests, Rohit registered his fourth century in the first innings at Visakhapatnam against South Africa, in which he hit 176 runs with the help of six sixes.

He followed it with a half-century in the second, during which he hit offspinner Dane Piedt into the side screen. It was the third time he cleared the rope in the innings, taking his match tally to nine sixes.

Most sixes in a Test match for India

9 (subject to change) – Rohit Sharma this match

8 – Navjot Singh Sidhu vs Sri Lanka, Lucknow, 1994

Rohit also became the only cricketer to hit seven consecutive Test fifties on home soil. He holds the record for hitting the most sixes for India in a single match (Tests, T20Is, ODIs). Besides, Rohit also has the most runs by a player opening for the first time in a Test. Currently, he has 226 runs, going past Kepler Wessell’s tally of 208 runs against England in Brisbane 1982.

50+ score in most consecutive Test innings in India

7 Rohit Sharma (Sep 2016 – ongoing)
6 Everton Weekes (Nov 1948 – Feb 1949)
6 Rahul Dravid (Nov 1997 – Mar 1998)
6 Andy Flower (Mar 1993 – Nov 2000)

In the second innings, with a lead of 71 runs on Day 4, Rohit looked to get quick runs. He got off to a good start even though Mayank Agarwal departed for seven runs.

Earlier on Day 4, India required 13 overs to wipe off the South Africa tail but it wasn’t before their last three batsmen had ensured the deficit was less than that of 100. South Africa’s last-wicket pair of Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada entertained with a 35-runs stand, getting the total to cross 400.

Offspinner R Ashwin grabbed the final two wickets of the day to finish with 7/145, one shy of 350 wickets to halt South Africa for 431

The post Rohit Sharma surpasses Navjot Singh Sidhu to hit most sixes in a Test for India appeared first on Cricket Country.

Gambhir, who was a key member of India’s 2007 ICC World T20 and 2011 World Cup triumphs, joins a list of cricketers who turned politicians.

IMRAN KHAN

The most prominent cricketer-turned-politician is Imran Khan, the former Pakistan captain who last year was elected the country’s Prime Minister. Imran, who led Pakistan to its only World Cup title in 1992, last July won the most seats in the elections for his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.

MOHAMMAD AZHARUDDIN

The former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who played 334 ODIs and 99 Test matches, joined the Indian National Congress party and became the Member of Parliament from Moradabad constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

ARJUNA RANATUNGA

Arguably Sri Lanka’s greatest captain ever, Arjuna Ranatunga joined politics after retiring and has been a Member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka for Gampaha constituency. In 2015, he was appointed as the Minister of Ports and Shipping having earlier held the post of Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister for Tourism.

SANATH JAYASURIYA

Ranatunga’s 1996 World Cup-winning team-mate and one of the most devastating openers that cricket has seen, Sanath Jayasuriya was elected as Member of Parliament from his native Matara district for one full term and has served as the deputy union minister of postal services and later as the deputy union minister of Local Government & Rural Development under president.

NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU

Navjot Singh Sidhu, who featured in 51 Tests and 136 ODIs for India, has donned several hats in his political career. He was twice a Member of Parliament from Amritsar constituency, and has been part of the BJP and Congress.

MOHAMMAD KAIF

Mohammad Kaif, who featured in 125 ODIs and 13 Tests between 2000 and 2006, represented Congress from his constituency of Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh without success. He is currently assistant coach of Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

KIRTI AZAD

The former India allrounder Kirti Azad, part of the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, represented the BJP and won the election from Bihar’s Darbhanga constituency thrice.In February 2019, he joined the Congress party.

CHETAN CHAUHAN

Chetan Chauhan, who was Sunil Gavaskar’s opening partner in Tests,  has twice been a Member of Parliament from Amroha constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

The post Gautam Gambhir joins BJP: A list of cricketers who entered politics appeared first on Cricket Country.