Navjot Singh Sidhuâs return to IPL commentary in 2024 brought one of Indian cricket broadcastingâs most recognizable voices back to television after a long break.
Star Sports announced his return on March 19, 2024, ahead of the opening match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Sidhu had spent years away from regular cricket commentary while becoming increasingly involved in politics and television. His IPL comeback therefore attracted attention not only because of cricket, but because it marked a return to the role that had made his one-liners and colorful Hindi commentary famous.
Here is what actually happened, why the comeback mattered and what followed afterward.
When Did Navjot Singh Sidhu Return to IPL Commentary?
Star Sports confirmed that Sidhu would join its IPL 2024 commentary team shortly before the tournament began.
His comeback took place during the CSK vs RCB season opener on March 22, 2024 in Chennai.
The opening-day broadcast also featured established cricket voices including:
- Sunil Gavaskar
- Ravi Shastri
- Harbhajan Singh
- Irfan Pathan
- Kris Srikkanth
along with several international former players.
For Sidhu, it was his first regular return to the IPL commentary box in roughly a decade.
Why Was Sidhuâs Return Significant?
Sidhu had already built a strong identity as a commentator before entering politics.
He became known for:
- energetic Hindi commentary;
- quick analogies;
- Punjabi and Hindi phrases;
- poetry and wordplay;
- strong opinions; and
- memorable one-liners.
His style was very different from traditional ball-by-ball commentary.
Rather than simply describing the delivery and result, Sidhu often tried to turn a cricket moment into a larger metaphor or punchline.
That approach made him popular with many viewers, although it also divided opinion.
The Indian Express noted during IPL 2024 that his return attracted both praise and criticism: some viewers enjoyed the familiar style, while others felt the repeated jokes and poetic phrases could sometimes overwhelm the cricket analysis.
That contrast is important because Sidhuâs commentary has always been more about personality than neutrality.
Sidhuâs Cricket Background Gives His Commentary Context
Sidhu was not simply a television personality who moved into cricket broadcasting.
He played international cricket for India from the 1980s through the late 1990s.
According to ICC records, he was a right-handed batter whose international career began in 1983.
Contemporary reports on his IPL comeback noted that he played:
- 51 Test matches
- 136 One-Day Internationals
and scored more than 7,600 international runs across the two formats.
That playing experience allowed him to discuss:
- opening batting;
- playing spin;
- handling pressure;
- captaincy;
- field settings; and
- match momentum
from the perspective of a former international cricketer.
The Famous âSidhuismsâ
Sidhuâs commentary style became closely associated with what fans called âSidhuisms.â
These were short metaphors, jokes and philosophical-style one-liners used to describe cricket situations.
The old version of this article quotes several sayings attributed to Sidhu, but not every widely shared âSidhuismâ online has a clear original source. For that reason, it is better not to build the article around a long list of unsourced quotes.
What can be stated safely is that his reputation for colorful one-liners was specifically highlighted when Star Sports announced his IPL return.
Sidhu Returned During a Major Political Period
The timing of his 2024 comeback was also politically significant.
Sidhu was a senior Congress figure and former Punjab Congress president.
At the time, India was preparing for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Sidhu had said he would not contest the election, and his IPL commentary schedule effectively kept him focused on broadcasting during much of the campaign period.
This made the comeback more than a simple media assignment.
It represented a shift in attention from active electoral politics back toward cricket broadcasting.
Sidhuâs Return Was Not Just a One-Match Appearance
An important update missing from the original article is that Sidhu did not simply appear once for nostalgia.
He continued working as part of the IPL commentary setup.
During IPL 2024, he was used prominently on the Hindi broadcast and regularly shared opinions on players, teams and tactics.
For example, he discussed:
- Rohit Sharmaâs captaincy;
- Hardik Pandya taking over Mumbai Indians;
- Gautam Gambhirâs influence at Kolkata Knight Riders; and
- team strategy during the season.
That showed the return had become a real broadcasting role rather than a promotional cameo.
Sidhu Continued in IPL 2025
The comeback also continued into IPL 2025.
Indian Express reported that JioStar planned to pair Sidhu with Virender Sehwag during the season, combining two commentators known for humor and punchy one-liners.
Sidhu was also listed among Hindi commentators alongside names such as:
- Harbhajan Singh
- Virender Sehwag
- Shikhar Dhawan
- Suresh Raina
- Robin Uthappa
- Ambati Rayudu
during IPL 2025 coverage.
This confirms that his 2024 return developed into a continuing commentary role.
Latest Update: Sidhu Remains Part of IPL Commentary in 2026
The most useful current update is that Sidhu remained associated with IPL Hindi commentary in 2026.
A 2026 Indian Express feature on regional IPL broadcasting described Hindi coverage as being anchored by voices including Navjot Singh Sidhu, Ravichandran Ashwin and Aakash Chopra.
That means the 2024 comeback was not temporary.
By 2026, Sidhu had again become an established part of the IPL broadcasting environment.
Why Sidhuâs Commentary Still Stands Out
Modern IPL broadcasts contain many former players who provide tactical analysis.
Sidhuâs role is somewhat different.
His appeal comes from combining cricket analysis with entertainment.
High energy
He rarely delivers commentary in a low-key style.
Language
His mix of Hindi, Punjabi expressions and English phrases makes his commentary distinctive.
Cricket experience
His international career gives him enough technical background to discuss batting and match situations.
Entertainment value
He treats commentary as performance as well as analysis.
That combination explains why broadcasters continue to use him even though viewer opinion on his style can be divided.
Did Everyone Like Sidhuâs IPL Commentary Comeback?
No.
The reaction was mixed.
Some fans welcomed the return because they associated Sidhu with an earlier era of energetic Hindi cricket commentary.
Others criticized the frequency of jokes, poetry and repeated metaphors.
Indian Express specifically reported both positive and negative social-media reactions during his 2024 return.
That makes the fairest conclusion:
Sidhuâs commentary is distinctive and memorable, but it is also a matter of personal taste.
For some viewers, that personality makes the broadcast more entertaining.
For others, more analytical or restrained commentary is preferable.
Sidhu IPL Commentary Timeline
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| Before 2024 | Sidhu had been away from regular IPL commentary for years |
| March 19, 2024 | Star Sports announces his return |
| March 22, 2024 | Returns during CSK vs RCB IPL opener |
| IPL 2024 | Becomes regular part of Hindi commentary |
| IPL 2025 | Continues with JioStar commentary coverage |
| IPL 2026 | Still featured among prominent Hindi IPL commentary voices |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Navjot Singh Sidhu return to IPL commentary?
Sidhu returned for IPL 2024, with his first major appearance coming during the CSK vs RCB season opener on March 22, 2024.
Which channel brought Sidhu back to IPL commentary?
Star Sports announced his return for IPL 2024.
How long had Sidhu been away from cricket commentary?
Reports at the time described his return as coming after roughly a decade away from regular commentary.
Is Navjot Singh Sidhu still doing IPL commentary?
Yes. He continued during IPL 2025, and 2026 coverage still listed him among prominent Hindi commentary voices.
Why is Sidhu famous as a commentator?
He is known for energetic delivery, Hindi and Punjabi expressions, cricket analysis and memorable one-liners.
Final Takeaway
Navjot Singh Sidhuâs IPL commentary comeback in 2024 was more significant than the original article suggested.
It was not simply a nostalgic one-season appearance.
After roughly a decade away from regular IPL broadcasting, Sidhu returned for the CSKâRCB opener, became part of Star Sportsâ Hindi commentary lineup and continued discussing major IPL storylines throughout the season.
He then continued in IPL 2025 and remained part of the Hindi IPL broadcast landscape in 2026.
His style remains divisive: some viewers enjoy the energy and one-liners, while others prefer more restrained analysis.
But one thing is clear: the 2024 return successfully restored Sidhu to a role closely associated with his post-playing cricket career.
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