Former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu said that the upcoming Champions Trophy clash between India and Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday is going to be the “mother of all battles”. The veteran commentator added the team that will perform better under pressure has the chance of winning the blockbuster encounter. “It is the mother of all battles. There’s nothing bigger than this. I think it’s the tension that holds everybody together. When 150 crore people expect a win from you, they will never swallow a defeat. There is a culture of retribution. This game is played more between the ears than between the hands – it’s a psychological battle. There’s plenty of nervous energy floating around, but the side that converts it into positive energy is the side that will win,” Sidhu said on a special episode of JioHotstar’s Greatest Rivalry Returns.

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also shared his thoughts on the blockbuster match and remembered his first experience of playing against Pakistan in 2003.

“It’s one of the greatest ODI games I’ve played. My friend Shahid Afridi welcomed me with a lot of ‘kind words’ in that game. That was when I truly understood what the India-Pakistan rivalry meant. Watching it on TV was one thing, but playing in it was completely different. I remember the immense pressure, but performing well in that game gave me the confidence to become a better player in the future,” he said.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi added on the incident and revealed what happened in that match.

“Yuvraj was young at the time, just finding his place in the team. We had the opportunity to play alongside legends like Inzamam-ul-Haq bhai and Wasim Akram bhai, who taught us how to fight on the ground, how to win matches, and how to unsettle the opposition,” he said.

“Our seniors used to tell us, ‘Show the opposition your eyes. Put pressure on them.’ But Yuvraj is the son of a Sardar – he doesn’t take pressure. He came in with confidence, and despite everything we said, he focused on his batting and handled it very well,” the former all-rounder added.

Adding on to the rivalry with India, Afridi termed it a “golden opportunity” for youngsters to shine in the match.

“For a cricketer, an India-Pakistan match is a golden opportunity, especially for youngsters. It was always my dream. Before a match, I couldn’t sleep at night – I would think about my performance and how I couldn’t afford to miss this chance. Even if I hadn’t performed in the last five or six matches, if I did well in an India-Pakistan game, everything would be forgiven. That’s how big this rivalry is,” he said.

Yuvraj added, “No matter the format, an India-Pakistan game always feels like a final- whether it’s a group match, a semifinal, or the championship itself. The pressure is immense. You don’t want to lose because it sets the tone for the tournament. Winning builds momentum and confidence. I remember the last time I played in the Champions Trophy, we beat Pakistan in the first game, but they beat us in the final. So, nothing is guaranteed. But starting with a win on such a big stage, with the whole world watching, is crucial.”

Pakistan lost to New Zealand by 60 runs in the tournament opener while India are taking on Bangladesh in their opening match in Dubai.

File photo of Rohit Sharma© AFP

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu lauded star India batter Virat Kohli for his match-winning knock in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 against South Africa. After managing just 75 runs in the first seven innings of the competition, Virat stepped up when it mattered the most, scoring 76 in 59 balls, with six fours and two sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 128.81. His score guided India to 176/7 in their 20 overs, which India defended successfully, restricting SA to 169/8 in a thriller.

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 noted that during the tournament, Virat did not let the run-rate drop even once and would be remembered as an “icon and the greatest inspiration” following his T20I retirement.

“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.

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

In 35 T20 World Cup matches, Virat has scored 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, with 15 half-centuries. His best score is 89*. He is the highest run-scorer in the history of the T20 World Cup.

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.

Coming to the match, India won the toss and opted to bat first. After being reduced to 34/3, a counter-attacking partnership between Virat (76) and Axar Patel (47 in 31 balls, with one four and four sixes) of 72 runs restored India’s position in the game. A 57-run stand between Virat and Shivam Dube (27 in 16 balls, with three fours and a six) took India to 176/7 in their 20 overs.

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

In the run chase of 177 runs, Proteas was reduced to 12/2, 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 game. A half-century by Heinrich Klaasen (52 in 27 balls, with two fours and five sixes) threatened to take the game away from India. However, 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.

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.

Navjot Singh Sidhu poked fun at Arshdeep Singh ahead of the T20 World Cup final.© X (Twitter)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bagged six wins on the trot to reach Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs but were undone by Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator on Wednesday. The elimination meant that it was the same old story for the Bengaluru franchise, that has failed to bag an IPL title for 17 seasons in a row. Seeing RCB bow out of the competition, former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu analysed the team’s campaign in his own ‘poetic’ style, with some special words for Virat Kohli too.

Kohli ended the campaign with over 700 runs to his name, while also holding the Orange Cap which will most likely remain on his head by the time the tournament concludes. Sidhu, in a video shared by Star Sports, admitted that it was the battle of survival between RCB and RR, where Sanju Samson‘s team emerged victorious.

“Aar paar ki ladai thi, jeevan Maran ki ladai thi, swabhimaan ki ladai thi aur astitva ki ladai thi. Yahan doosra mauka nahi milega. Aapne kitne saare mauke gawaye hain aur uski wajah se Rajasthan Royals are deserved winner. Aur Kohli ka dil bada hai dost! Iss babbar sher ke andar dil ek boht bada hai. Dariya ke jaisa behta hai. Mubarakbaad dete hue. Deserved winners kehte hue. Prayas poora kiya lekin kuch cheezen aapke bas ke bahar hain (It was a battle for survival, a battle for self-respect, a battle for existence where no second chance was available. You wasted all opportunities, and hence, Rajasthan Royals were deserved winners. But, Virat Kohli’s heart is huge. He congratulated the opponents, lauded them for their deserved win. He tried everything he could but some things are outside your control),” he said in the video.

“Aar paar ki ladai thi, jeevan maran ki ladai thi, swabhimaan ki ladai thi aur astitva ki ladai thi”, @sherryontopp lauds @rajasthanroyals‘ performance in the Eliminator against @RCBTweets!

Expect more gold-class Sidhuism from the Sardar of the commentary box, as Hyderabad faces… pic.twitter.com/dmIoAtJr40

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 23, 2024

To conclude, Sidhu had no qualms in admitting that RCB ‘choked’ yet again, as their trophy-less continues in IPL.

“What cannot be cured has got to be endured. RCB raafta raafta chalte gaye aur ant me aa ke, they choked (RCB progressed step by step and choked in the end),” Sidhu had further said.

Sanju Samson having a discussion with the umpire during IPL 2024 match© AFP