Navjot Singh Sidhu has led a career as varied as it is public, encompassing roles as a former cricketer, politician, commentator, and reality show judge. Now, he is set to add another feather to his cap by joining the jury panel of India’s Got Talent season 11, alongside Malaika Arora and Shaan. However, the path to his celebrated career began with a profound sacrifice made for his father.
Sidhu recounts that he initially harbored a strong desire to join the army, successfully clearing the Indian Military Academy (IMA) exam on his first attempt. “I wanted to go into the army and I cleared my IMA… But when I was about to go, my father stopped me and said, ‘na jaa, main jee nahi paunga tere bina’ (don’t go, I won’t be able to live without you),” he shares. This heartfelt plea prompted Sidhu to sacrifice his anticipated military career and, instead, embrace his father’s dream for him: a career in cricket.
The Strokeless Wonder and The Vow of Success
The journey in cricket, though a dream realized for his father, was far from smooth. Sidhu vividly recalls the town-wide celebration, with “Patiala pura talli kar diya tha” (the whole of Patiala was high with celebration), when he was first selected for the Indian team. But this joy was short-lived. He was soon dropped, leading to a stinging article that branded him “Navjot Singh Sidhu: The Strokeless Wonder.”
This public humiliation hit his father hard. “He was so hurt by that and that’s the first time I saw my father cry. I was dumbfounded,” Sidhu shares. This painful moment became the crucible for Sidhu’s resolve. He took a solemn vow: to prove himself and play for India again soon.
Blood, Sweat, Toil, and Tears: The Regimental Grind
The next four years were a period of intense, disciplined self-improvement. Sidhu adopted a regimental schedule, waking up at 3 a.m. to prepare the pitch himself—rolling and watering it—and practicing for grueling hours. His daily ritual included hitting 125 sixes. This relentless practice caused his hands to bleed, forcing him to invent a special kind of glove to soak the blood, which would then harden.
This extraordinary toil eventually paid off. After four years of dedicated training, he was selected for the World Cup squad. He marked his return with a stellar debut against Australia, hitting five sixes. In the very next match against New Zealand, he hit six sixes, totaling 11 sixes in two matches, and went on to score five fifties in a row. He highlights the monumental effort: “That world record stood till last year when Virat Kohli broke it in the World Cup. So, there’s nothing easy in life. It’s all about blood sweat, toil and tears.”
A New Chapter on India’s Got Talent
Now, Sidhu is channeling the same spirit of dedication and inspiration as he takes on his new role on India’s Got Talent season 11. He is excited about this first-time experience, reflecting on the unpredictability of his life’s course. “There is always a first time. Politics happened for the first time when not even in the wildest of my dreams, did I ever imagine that I’ll do politics. Politics was never my profession, it was my mission.”
His life, he concludes, is a testament to the adage, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” The former cricketer-turned-politician is ready to bring his unique brand of motivational fire and humor to the popular talent show.