(ANI Photo)

Navjot Singh Sidhu, the renowned former Indian cricketer and commentator, has stirred attention with his recent remarks regarding the Indian cricket team, particularly praising captain Rohit Sharma while critiquing past strategies. 

Following India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, Sidhu remarked that India’s previous approach, characterized by individualism, had hindered their success in major tournaments over the last decade.

Rohit Sharma changed Team India from selfish to selfless: Navjot Singh Sidhu

Sidhu pointed out that Rohit Sharma’s influence transformed the mindset of the Indian cricket team, leading to significant achievements such as reaching the finals of the WTC and ODI World Cup last year. 

Despite falling short in those tournaments, Sidhu noted that the team continued to play with a collective spirit and dedication to the nation. This unified effort culminated in their historic victory at the T20 World Cup 2024, an achievement Sidhu believes will resonate across generations and inspire future players.

Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Star Sports: “The Indian cricket team’s Deepak and Pran were the captain, Rohit Sharma. He converted weakness into strength. Just look at the power play. Earlier, the Indian team was playing selfishly, playing for their positions, playing to retain their position in the team.

But in this World Cup, no one was playing for themselves. Everyone was playing for the team without any selfishness, without deceit, and without any personal agenda. To date, there has never been a World Cup where the Indian team has never lost.”

Sidhu also criticized Australia captain Pat Cummins for his earlier comments about silence, highlighting how India’s dominant performance in their Super-8 match effectively silenced the Kangaroos and led to their elimination from the T20 World Cup 2024.

Navjot Sidhu took a swipe at Australia following India’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024. He referenced Mitchell Starc’s impact on India’s defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final and Pat Cummins’ statement about silencing the crowd, suggesting they had dashed hopes of millions who wanted to see India lift the trophy.

However, in the T20 World Cup 2024, Sidhu pointed out that India effectively neutralized Australia’s strategy. He highlighted a shift in the team’s approach under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, emphasizing consistency and intensity, which he believes has revitalized their performance.

Sidhu stated that “the team that stays together has fun together, laughs together, and never loses,” and Rohit’s team proved that by winning the second T20 World Cup after 17 years.

This selfless captain will be remembered generation after generation: Navjot Singh Sidhu

Sidhu hailed Rohit and Team India by saying, “Rohit Sharma. Oh, the flood of time—how often everyone gets swept away. This time is very stormy. Even the mountains bow down. Often, the people of the world get lost in time. But there are some, like Rohit Sharma and the Indian cricket team, who make history.”

He signed off by saying, “The world will come and go. But this captain, this selfless captain, in the form of an organization, with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, said goodbye to the format, but he will always be remembered in the form of a source of inspiration, generation after generation.”