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Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu offered a dramatic and direct tribute to the superstar batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma amidst talks around the superstar duo's long-term role in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Sidhu asserted that both players are akin to the Himalayas of Indian cricket, a towering, untouchable, and unmatched force in terms of their skill, leadership, and influence. In his view, no individual should presume to decide the ultimate fate of these two cricketing giants.
Virat and Rohit's stature is as high as the Himalaya: Navjot Singh Sidhu
Both Rohit and Virat will be seen in the upcoming ODI series against Australia, which is scheduled to start from October 19.
“You know, in everything that he does, there is a bit of Virat Kohli, yet the young man parted with his individuality and became that of another. You know about the Sumeru Parbat that has even shifted its place, and then they are just Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. But that is a mountain that will always remain, and just like that, Virat and Rohit's stature is as high as the Himalaya. Both of them are as tall as the Himalayas,” Sidhu said on Star Sports.
The former politician went on to state that the impact of Virat and Rohit extends far beyond mere statistics and records. According to him, the duo has fundamentally reshaped Indian cricket by instilling a critical culture of discipline, professionalism, and a winning attitude. Sidhu called their contribution nothing short of historic, emphasising that the incredibly high standards they have set will serve as a foundational guide for future generations of Indian cricketers for decades to come.
Sidhu further elaborated that these Indian batting icons are the reason why Team India has become so dominant and successful across all formats of the game. He noted that Kohli and Rohit have transformed Indian cricket into a global powerhouse, inspiring young talents to dream bigger, work harder, and embrace the essential values of leadership and resilience. For Sidhu, this inspiration and transformation is the most significant gift they have given to the current generation.
Sidhu likened the stature of the former Indian captain to the sun, whose shine is undeniable. He argued that the presence and performance of Kohli and Sharma have illuminated Indian cricket in a profound way that very few others in the history of the sport could ever match.
“What can be a bigger gift than this? And this generation is old, which has given to the generation of gold, can you see? Will the sun give evidence that it is bright? Is its light not evidence? I think what they have done is historic,” he further stated.
The former Indian cricketer also issued a stern warning, cautioning that genuine team progress doesn't stem from change for its own sake, but rather from the wise decision to build upon the robust foundations already established by cricketing legends like Virat and Rohit.
“Change is not necessarily progress, but change that makes you better is real progress. Progress is a sign of life, and progress is a sign of growth. Those who expand Indian cricket, spread it, and make it better and supreme, Ro-Ko. Agar Kisi Ke Baap Me Dum Hai, To Rok Kar Dikhao,” he concluded.
India's ODI squad for Australia series:
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar
Australia's ODI squad for India series:
Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
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