The Indian Premier League 2024 is scheduled to commence on March 22, and the charismatic former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu is making a comeback to his forte - commentary.
Making a comeback to the IPL after a decade, Sidhu's distinct 'Sidhuism' is eagerly awaited by fans. His blend of sarcasm, poetry, statistical insights, and player descriptions were dearly missed in the previous IPL seasons.
A prominent figure behind the microphone, his commentaries also elevated him to a prominent position in the entertainment world, where he commanded a handsome fee for his appearances on a comedy show.
Addressing the amount he received, he mentioned that monetary gain was never his primary motivation."Despite being offered ₹60-70 lakh for the entire tournament, I only took ₹25 lakh per day during the IPL. It wasn't about the money; it was about enjoying the experience. It was truly beautiful," he told the news agency PTI.
He mentioned that initially, commentary was a challenge for him, but then the term "Sidhuism" emerged, and he embraced that style.
"I transitioned from cricket to commentary, unsure if it was something I could excel in. I lacked confidence initially, but about 10-15 days into the World Cup, the concept of Sidhuism emerged. I ventured into uncharted territory, creating my own lane," he explained.
Reflecting on his return to the upcoming IPL as a commentator, he remarked, "The IPL will set the stage for the World Cup. With no other cricket events happening, the spotlight is on the IPL. This is where players, both Indian and foreign, can secure a spot for the T20 World Cup."
A wise man once said, "Hope is the biggest ‘tope’"
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 19, 2024
And this wise man, the great @sherryontopp himself, has joined our Incredible StarCast! 👏
Don't miss his incredible commentary (and gajab one-liners) in #IPLOnStar - STARTS MAR 22, 6:30 PM onwards, LIVE on Star Sports Network! pic.twitter.com/BjmFq9OKQ4
When asked about his return to cricket, Sidhu expressed, "Cricket is my first love, boss. If your hobby becomes your profession, there's nothing better than that. Just like a duckling never forgets how to swim, I'll take to commentary like a fish to water."
He attributed his sense of humor to keeping him resilient during challenging times in his life. "The secret to my life is knowing when to switch on and switch off. While it was tough for me to switch off from politics, miracles still happen. The difficult tasks are accomplished quickly, while the impossible may take a bit longer."
"I have the mental strength to navigate through any situation now. In cricket, I've made around 20 comebacks, but this marks my first return to commentary. I was actively involved from 1999 to 2014-15 i commentary," he added.
Regarding veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma:
Choosing BOLD is my game, always! 💪
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 6, 2023
Watch me answer some BOLD questions in The Talking Bold series by @RoyalChallenge_!#RoyalChallenge #NayaSher #ChooseBold #RoyalChallengeChooseBold#BoldIsAChoice #ad pic.twitter.com/ymDN7bi55h
According to Sidhu, the class of players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma carries undeniable authority.
"They will be needed there. These are giants of the cricketing world. The form is like the morning dew, it can elude you but the class of these people has the stamp of authority.”
"I would rate Kohli as the greatest Indian batsman for the simple reason, of 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, and your reflexes tend to go. Sehwag with those glasses, his reflexes were not the same, I saw it in the IPL."
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