Monday, 26 September 2011 Navjot Singh Sidhu slams Shoaib Akhtar for his sensational comments

Former Indian Test cricketer and opening batsman, Navjot Singh Sidhu, has slammed Pakistani fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, for his remarks on Sachin Tendulkar and some other former cricketers of India and Pakistan.

Shoaib recently launched his book ‘Controversially Yours’ and made some sensational comments about Wasim Akram, Sachin Tendulkar, Shahrukh Khan and some other celebrities.  

Sidhu, who has played alongside Sachin for a number of years, said that Tendulkar is one of the finest cricketers of the modern day cricket and he does not require a testimonial from any other cricketer. He rated Shoaib’s allegations as a mere act to gain cheap publicity.

Former Indian cricketer said, “A player (Sachin Tendulkar) who has conquered the whole world and stands tall like the Himalayas, can he be afraid of any bowler? It's just cheap publicity, there was no need for such a gimmick.”

Sidhu made his Test debut in 1983 against the West Indies and played 51 matches in his career. The opening batsman scored more than three thousand runs at an average of 42.13 runs per innings. He scored nine Test hundreds to go with his six in limited overs cricket.

Former cricketer turned politician said that Tendulkar has scored runs against Shoaib Akhtar many times in the past and youngsters all around the world consider the Little Master as their hero.  

“Tendulkar has derailed the Rawalpindi Express (a name given to Akhtar for his fast deliveries) many a time. He is not a mortal but an institution in himself. His name is etched in world history forever,” claimed Sidhu.

While talking about the Indian captains in the last decade, Sidhu hailed both Sourav Ganguly and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He is of the opinion that the former consolidated the Indian cricket team, whereas, the later took it to amazing heights.

Sidhu added, “Both Sourav and Dhoni are remarkable captains. If Dada made a team of exciting youngsters, Dhoni led the team to the number one ranking in the world.”

Shoaib has been heavily criticized in Pakistan as well and many former cricketers have rubbished his allegations as mere publicity gimmicks.