Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has come down hard on the Indian team management and captain Shubman Gill for fielding a not fully fit Akash Deep in the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval. Sidhu was highly critical of the decision, pointing out that Akash Deep looked physically restricted on Day 4, struggling with his line and bowling wayward deliveries as the match progressed.

The 61-year-old highlighted the pacer's fitness issues, citing his groin injury that had ruled him out of the fourth Test at Manchester. Despite this, he was brought back into the XI for the decisive Oval Test, replacing Anshul Kamboj. Deep bowled 17 overs in the first innings for 1/80 and followed it up with another 20 overs for 1/85 in the second, including the dismissal of Harry Brook. Sidhu questioned the logic behind restoring the bowling attack from the Edgbaston Test without considering the fitness factor.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Sidhu revealed that even during English commentary, there were concerns about whether Akash Deep had taken an injection to be match-ready. “You are playing a bowler in a Test match after giving him an injection, while a fit left-arm pacer like Arshdeep is sitting on the bench. Why didn’t you play him? Going in with a half-fit bowler is a crime. It is a cardinal, heinous error,” he remarked.

Sidhu slams Gill’s handling of pacers, warns about Siraj’s workload

Sidhu didn’t hold back in criticizing skipper Shubman Gill either, accusing him of mismanaging the fast bowlers. He felt that Mohammed Siraj has been overburdened with long spells, especially in Jasprit Bumrah's absence. “Your other two bowlers, who are meant to be racehorses, end up becoming workhorses,” he said, warning that Siraj might suffer a breakdown if such a workload continues.

See Also: 'He could have bowled well' - Irfan Pathan criticizes Indian pacer ahead of Day 5 of ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

“Today, it was completely exposed. The ball is going a foot wide on the left side. He is not able to bend. He cannot get down. He is trying to play football, and even that he cannot manage. He is clearly in discomfort,” Sidhu added, emphasizing how playing a half-fit Akash Deep has hurt the team. He further urged the Indian captain to learn from the English setup, saying, “They played four fast bowlers. One got injured, and they still had three. Now you have just three, and not even a proper three. It is not even two and a half now.”

Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has praised opener Yashasvi Jaiswal during the ongoing fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at the Kennington Oval in London.

On Saturday, August 2, the 61-year-old shared a video on his YouTube channel, @NavjotSidhuOfficial, where he praised Jaiswal’s batting and said that the young opener is starting to have an impact similar to former great Virender Sehwag.

In the final Test at the Oval, both India and England had a disappointing end to their innings. The Indian batting collapsed on Day 1 and could score only 224 runs in the first innings, losing the last four wickets quickly. England’s openers gave a strong start, but their team was bowled out for 247. In the second innings, the Indian batters again struggled, but Yashasvi Jaiswal played aggressively and kept hitting boundaries regularly.

Also Read -[WATCH]: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s upper cut backfires as Josh Tongue gets his second wicket in ongoing ENG vs IND 5th Test

Sidhu Compares Jaiswal’s Impact to Virender Sehwag

The 61-year-old shared a video on his YouTube channel, mentioning Yashasvi Jaiswal, where he praised the youngster’s brilliant strokeplay and called him an opener with shades of batting great Virender Sehwag’s intent.

“The way he (Jaiswal) played those cuts, the cover drive, and especially that stroke between mid-on and midwicket shows how quickly he gets into position. He has so much time. I can say that after Sunil Gavaskar, if any opener has come close to the impact of Virender Sehwag, it is Yashasvi Jaiswal. He has scored double hundreds and hundreds at a pace that gives bowlers no time to settle, while putting his team in a winning position,” Sidhu said.

He further added, “If I had to rate him, his average was around 52 before this series, and now it will be close to 49 or 50. When your average stays near or above 50 even after playing 20 to 30 Test matches, you are considered a great player.”

Sidhu also praised Jaiswal’s fifty on Day 2 of the ongoing Test against England, highlighting the importance of the knock in tough conditions.

“Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fifty today was priceless. In these conditions, there could not have been a better innings. Some might say that he got a life because a catch was dropped, but if you look at how that catch was dropped, you’ll understand. It was such a powerful slash, and the ball that went toward Brook was traveling at great speed. The pull shot he played toward square leg was brilliant. His special quality is the back-and-across movement, which gives him extra time. Then he plays with complete flow, fully aware that he could get out anytime in such conditions,” Sidhu explained.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar previously announced that Jasprit Bumrah will play in 3 out of 5 tests in the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy. Bumrah has already participated in 3 matches. So the question remains about his participation in the remaining game. Between the fourth and fifth tests, there is only a 3-day gap.

Prioritizing the workload management, former India international Navjot Singh Sidhu expressed his desire to keep Bumrah on the bench for the 5th Test at The Oval. Sidhu shaped the India bowling attack without the ace pacer. He suggested Team India bring back Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna to combine with Mohammed Siraj. The former opener is not pleased to see the performances of Shardul Thakur or Anshul Kamboj. In place of these two pace bowling all-rounders, the former cricketer would like to see Kuldeep Yadav in the final XI.

"Anshul Kamboj and Shardul Thakur can be replaced by Kuldeep. There is nothing against anyone. Anshul will learn, but you are here more to make India win than to build someone. Shardul also fell short. It will be a rock-hard wicket at The Oval. A spinner can come into a solid zone on the third and fourth days. Have batting till seven. If Bumrah plays fine. There are only three days so he may rest. Then there will be Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna. This should be your bowling attack with Kuldeep. Then you make Washington Sundar and Jadeja bowl too. Then it will feel like you are playing to win," the former opener said in his YouTube video. 

Read More: 'Fight will be remembered...'- Sanjiv Goenka's inspiring post for Rishabh Pant

Dhruv Jurel to play 5th Test?

Apart from the bowling combination, the Indian think tank will also have to make a decision about the wicketkeeping duties, as Rishabh Pant has been ruled out due to injury. Narayan Jagadeesan came as his replacement, but Sidhu liked to take a bet on Dhruv Jurel. 

"If Dhruv Jurel plays at six in the next match, Jadeja can come at five as well. You have this option. Look at him as a pure batter. Overseas as a bowler, Jadeja is good in a supporting role, but he has not been able to win you games, and that is evident. Play Washington Sundar at seven," he added. 

Due to workload maintenance, India’s star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah sat out of the second Test. He was back for the Lord’s Test and is seen playing in the fourth Test at the Old Trafford, Manchester. As England came out to bat on Day 3, Bumrah bowled continuously and he was given the responsibility of starting the proceeding post Tea on Day 3. 

But to everyone’s surprise, his pace dipped as he started bowling. He maintained the pace of just around 125 to 130 kmph until the stumps. Not only Bumrah, even the young pacer Anshul Kamboj and veterans Shardul Takur and Mohammed Siraj too were seen bowling at the same pace. With this, the questions on his fitness caught fire and former Indian cricketer, Navjot Singh Sidhu joined the bandwagon, Sidhu sheepishly remarked that former India spinner, Anil Kumble could bowl at that speed. 

“If you look at Siraj and Anshul Kamboj, bowling at 125 to 130, even Anil Kumble could bowl at that speed. I’m not saying it’s their first Test, but with this kind of bowling, what can you expect? Shardul Thakur, this is what I had said, will give away 30 to 40 runs. But forget five wickets, could he even bowl like the 15 tight overs Prasidh did? That’s the question,” said Sidhu on his YouTube channel. 

See Also: Latest Weather update on Day 4 of ongoing ENG vs IND 4th Test

You didn’t bring on your hero from the last match

As was the case in the Lord’s Test, Shubman Gill did not introduce Washington Sundar into the attack in the mid part of the innings. The same ritual was carried out in the fourth Test as the all-rounder came out to bowl only after the 68th over. Sidhu highlighted this aspect and likened Sundar’s ability to drift the ball to former India spinner, Erapalli Prasanna. 

“I was really surprised that in the 68th over today, you didn’t bring on your hero from the last match, the one who took four wickets. That drifting delivery of his reminded me of Erapalli Prasanna. This drifter is an orthodox delivery, where it looks like the ball will turn in the air, but after pitching, it goes straight," he added.

Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu launched a stinging critique of India’s bowling unit following Day 2 of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. With India struggling to make an impact after being bowled out for 358 and England replying strongly at 225/2, Sidhu called out the lack of fitness and consistency among India's fast bowlers. He highlighted the frequent injuries plaguing the squad, which forced the team to hand a debut to pacer Anshul Kamboj in a crucial fixture.

Sidhu pointed to the stark contrast between the two sides' fourth-bowling options, praising Ben Stokes for stepping up and bagging five wickets despite being a part-time bowler. "Since 1884 till now no team has won here bowling first. But Ben Stokes said we will field despite that, and they showed it. They put India on the backfoot. That is called adaptability, and this is the biggest strength. England's fourth bowler, Ben Stokes, picked up five wickets. But here your fourth bowler keeps getting injured. Sometimes Akash Deep comes in, sometimes Nitish Reddy; Arshdeep is injured outside only, and now Shardul. This is the difference," he said on his YouTube channel.

Warning of bigger trouble ahead, Sidhu emphasized how England's deep batting lineup could exploit India's lack of penetration with the ball. He observed that England’s lower order, featuring Dawson, Woakes, Carse, and Archer, has more first-class runs than India’s top four batters. "There are 34 overs to be bowled with a soft and dead ball before getting the new ball. If England continues scoring at the rate they are till then, they will score 175 runs more. It's not as bad as it looks; it is worse. Their last four batters have more first-class runs than India's top four. They have got a very long and dependable tail. This is why India has only one chance now, the first session. If you cannot seize the initiative and advantage and make a comeback there, the series will be long and the defeat will also be huge," he warned.

Sidhu questions omission of Kuldeep Yadav from playing XI

Sidhu further expressed disappointment over India's decision to bench wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Despite his excellent record in Tests and particularly against England, Kuldeep hasn’t featured in the series so far. Sidhu slammed the team’s defensive approach, calling it a waste of a potential match-winner. "Your world-class wrist-spinner is on the bench. On a wicket where the conditions were okay or overcast, your top four bowlers could not do anything. Your spinner took a wicket; that also came as a surprise. Therefore, your wrist-spinner, who could have been your trump card, is roaming the ground with trays of water. That is a waste of energy," he remarked.

See Also: 'Sunlight is also listening to...' - Former cricketer reacts to India's bowling performance on Day 2 of ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test

Sidhu stressed the importance of positive or aggressive thinking, stating, The opposition's weakness is not your medium-pace seamers. Shardul is not their weakness. I respect him. But here, if you want to win games, you need positive thinking. Poor and defensive thinking will not take you forward." Kuldeep, who has 56 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 22.16, has also picked 21 wickets in just six matches against England, making his absence from the XI even more questionable.

Former India international, now a commentator and cricket expert, Navjot Singh Sidhu elected Rohit Sharma as the captain of his IPL 2025 team. Sidhu recently chose the best XI based on the form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League through his official YouTube channel.

Sidhu selected players like Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings captain) and Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians captain) in his best IPL 2025 playing combination but only as regular players, not as skippers, because of Rohit's success in the league and the legacy he has built throughout the years.

Apart from the captaincy, Sidhu picked Sharma for the value he can add as an opener. The cricket expert labelled Sharma and Virat Kohli as the best openers in the white-ball format, with the amount of experience they can both offer to a team.

Read More: KL Rahul smashes 19th First-Class century in 2nd unofficial Test against England Lions

Rohit's destructive form helped Mumbai to find a place in the play-off

The former cricketer reminded us how an in-form Rohit Sharma changed the Mumbai Indians' approach when he started to get match-winning innings. In IPL 2025, the five-time IPL-winning former captain explored his form through a 70-run knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 23. In the next month, he struck another half-century against Rajasthan Royals and helped Mumbai Indians to confirm a playoff spot later on.

In the Eliminator against Gujarat Titans (GT) at Mullanpur on May 30, the iconic Indian opener went for a match-winning 81-run innings, and Mumbai Indians easily moved on to Qualifier 2 to face Punjab Kings, where they failed to utilize the opportunity to find a spot in the final match. Overall, in 15 IPL 2025 innings, Rohit bagged a total of 418 runs with a strike rate of 149.28. 

Best IPL 2025 XI according to Navjot Singh Sidhu:

Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Jos Buttler, Shreyas Iyer, Nicholas Pooran, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Noor Ahmad, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, and Josh Hazlewood. 

Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu took a sly dig at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stand-in skipper MS Dhoni following the team’s disappointing display against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday, April 11. With regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad sidelined due to an elbow injury, Dhoni stepped in to lead the side.  However, the 43-year-old’s return to captaincy got off to a rocky start, as CSK crumbled with the bat in front of their home fans at Chepauk, suffering an eight-wicket defeat to Ajinkya Rahane and his team.

This marked the first time in IPL history that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered five consecutive defeats, including three on their home turf. In what turned out to be a frustrating outing, CSK’s batting order collapsed, with very little resistance offered by the middle and lower order. MS Dhoni, leading the side in place of the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, once again came in to bat after all-rounders R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter could only manage a single run before falling to Sunil Narine, as CSK were bowled out for a dismal total of just 103 runs.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Why is Mitchell Marsh not playing in LSG vs GT Match 26?

"Arey Dhoni aa rahe hain ji jaise sher aaya, sher aaya, hype thi, badi excitement thi, par khoda pahaad nikli chuhiya. (People were saying Dhoni is coming, the lion is coming. There was so much hype and excitement. But there was nothing to be seen)," former India opener said this during his live commentary stint. 

Watch the video here;

Navjot Singh Sidhu trolled MS Dhoni

Navjot singh Sindhu said :- धोनी आ रहे है जी मानो शेर आया शेर आया ...
लेकिन खोदा पहाड़ निकली चूहिया 🤔🤔#CSKvsKKR pic.twitter.com/mEQfwTC8VX

— Aditya Kamal Pandey(आदित्य पाण्डेय) (@AadiJournalist) April 11, 2025

CSK lose their fifth game of IPL 2025

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cruised to an emphatic eight-wicket win over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a one-sided IPL 2025 clash. Batting first, CSK struggled throughout their innings and could only manage 103/9 in 20 overs. Shivam Dube was the lone bright spot, scoring an unbeaten 31, while the rest of the batting lineup faltered. Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy picked up two wickets each, while Sunil Narine was miserly with figures of 3/13.

In response, KKR made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 10.1 overs. Sunil Narine smashed a blistering 44 off 18 balls, while Ajinkya Rahane played a steady knock of 20* to guide the team home. Quinton de Kock and Rinku Singh also chipped in with quick runs. KKR’s dominance with both bat and ball sealed their commanding win and handed CSK their fifth consecutive defeat — a first in their IPL history.

It's always natural whenever MS Dhoni comes to the field has lots of buzz and craze all around, same as in the combo where former Indian cricketers Navjot Singh Siddhu and Ambati Rayudu held with a funny banter. It was the match between CSK vs PBKS at Mullanpur. Where PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat first. Within their 20 overs Punjab Kings (PBKS) scored 219 runs, with an excellent knock by Priyansh Aryan who scored 103 runs facing 42 balls. 

It was a well-known fact that it wouldn't be an easy chase for CSK as they haven't chased a big target this season and they have lost their games by chasing targets above 180. Another thing to note in this match was that CSK had sloppy fielding which aggravated the score. CSK started their innings well this time where they attained the highest power-play score of this season. 

Read More: Watch: Drama unfolds on the field as Riyan Parag clashes with umpire after disputed dismissal

But it couldn't last long as wickets followed right after the powerplay but Devon Conway played with a flow. His partnership with Shivam Dube gave a major hope that CSK could achieve this target, but Dube too left the course half-cooked. Then came Dhoni at no 5 he played a cameo of 27 runs of 12 balls which precised that CSK could win the game but after the wicket of Ms Dhoni the momentum fully shifted to the PBKS side where they won the match by 18 runs marking their fourth loss in the league. 

MS Dhoni Coming With A Sword

It was the wicket of Shivam Dube and there came MS Dhoni no when Dhoni was getting down the stairs former CSK player Rayudu who was in the combo said Dhoni looked warmed up and ready, he looked like he was lifting the sword, not the bat.  When Dhoni came to bat Siddhu said every target was achievable and Rayudu went over to him stating It seemed MS Dhoni was coming out with a sword in his hand, not a bat. The sword will be wielded tonight, and it will be Dhoni's sword that will be wielded. 

Dhoni Cricket khelne aye hain Guru ? Yudh ladne nahin ? …. #IPL pic.twitter.com/MUmn6ivgyN

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) April 9, 2025

But Navjot Singh Siddhu countered Rayudu's statement saying "Guru, you're saying like he is not coming to play cricket but to fight a war, "A few days before too Ambati Rayudu and Sanjay Bangar had a heated argument about playing Rohit Sharma as an impact player which was roasted widely in internet and now this banter between Siddhu and Rayudu has been the talk of the town. 

It is those commentators who made a match more entertaining, engaging, and complete. But what will happen if two commentators or experts are sitting in front of a live camera and start throwing words at each other?

Read More: "If You're Nervous, You’ll Drop a Catch" — Captain Ruturaj reacts after loss to Punjab Kings

This exact thing happened in this season's Indian Premier League. Former team India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu and former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Ambati Rayadu had set the put the flame on a high note during a conversation season. As per media reports, this incident took place during the Mumbai Indians (MI) vs. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which was held on March 23 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Three experts—Ambati Rayadu, Navjot Singh Sidhu, and Sanjay Bangar—were there in a panel. Bangar was sitting in the middle, Sindhu was on his left side, and Rayadu was on his right-hand side. They started their discussion on how Hardik Pandya, as the skipper of the Mumbai Indians, can enhance his leadership abilities. Bangar said that, in this matter, five-time IPL winner Rohit Sharma can help him a lot; with his guidance, Pandya can learn more about how to lead a team.

The moment of the incident 

Though Rayadu was not convinced with this idea. According to the former CSK player, MI's current skipper can do his work alone; multiple opinions can harm a leader's capability and decisions.

Siddhu owned both rayadu and dhoni 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/JLsf8iOOrZ

— Tezas (@Tezas_14) April 8, 2025

The moment got more intense when Sindhu replied to Rayadu with his own style, "What you are saying is completely wrong. Girgit agar kisi kaa aaradhyadev hain toh woh tumhara hain (If there is someone who is like a chameleon, it is your idol). The video of this moment of conversation went viral on social media platforms. In reply, Rayadu burst out laughing only.

Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu revealed the 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar’s determination story when the right-handed batter told “main khelega” (I will play) after getting hit on his nose, which was bleeding. 

Sachin Tendulkar is a legendary cricketer in Indian cricket history, and the entire cricket world respects him hugely. The right-handed batter set many international cricket records in his more than two decades of international cricket career. 

Sachin made his international cricket debut at the age of 16 when India toured Pakistan. Hosts Pakistan then had pacers like Waqar Younis, Washim Akram, and Imran Khan, who were threats to every world-class batter. Then helmets were only for the shielding head and nearby, and there wasn’t any front grill to cover the face.

Also Watch: Shikhar Dhawan Reveals How MS Dhoni Backed Him & Rohit Sharma

Four batters were out for single-digit scores

Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot hosted the last Test of the four-match Test series. India went on to secure the Test match on the final day of that fourth Test, while the visitors lost their first four wickets for only 38 runs in the third innings of the match, where India earlier had a 74-run lead. Apart from the opener Navjot Sidhu, all other batters among the top five failed to reach even the 5-run mark. 

Sachin Tendulkar said "main khelega" to Navjot Sidhu

It was a tough time for the visitors when Sachin joined Sidhu in the crease. In the early period of that innings, Sachin was hit on his nose when he was facing Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis. Although Sachin’s nose was bleeding and Sidhu was sure enough for the youngster’s retired hurt, Sachin didn’t give up and told “main khelega” (I will play).

पाकिस्तान, खून और सचिन....#INDvsPAK #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/C7nGZKsV8X

— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) February 21, 2025

Sidhu and Sachin set up an incredible 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Sachin scored his second Test half-century and was only dismissed by Imran Khan after scoring a valuable 57 off 134 balls with six fours. India successfully saved that Test match, while Sidhu won the Player of the Match award for scoring valuable 97 runs off 234 balls in that third innings.