WATCH: Navjot Singh Sidhu calls Shreyas Iyer ‘an Afridi with better BRAINS’ and praises Rishabh Pant for comeback 

Navjot Singh Sidhu was full of praise for Rishabh Pant as well, praising him for being "unique".

WATCH: Navjot Singh Sidhu calls Shreyas Iyer ‘an Afridi with better BRAINS’ and praises Rishabh Pant for comeback 

Shahid Afridi and Shreyas Iyer (Images via ESPN)

On 23rd March, the 2024 IPL had its first double header. In the afternoon Punjab Kings hosted Delhi Capitals, while Sunrisers Hyderabad traveled to Kolkata at night. 

The day also saw the comeback of Rishabh Pant, who missed over 15 months of cricket due to his car accident. It saw him suffer multiple injuries, but he worked hard and has now returned to play cricket at the highest level. 

YouTube video

In a video released by Star Spots ahead of Pant’s comeback match, Navjot Singh Sidhu praised him. The former Indian opener, who has also made a comeback to commentary, called the star “unique” and praised his shot arsenal. 

Rishabh Pant, I am a huge fan of his. Because he has his own style. You can have your role models. But his own style makes him unique. His sweeps, his pulls and to play on the up in England. To come out of injury and play in the IPL is commendable.
Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Star Sports

He also praised Shreyas Iyer. The batter captains KKR and played his first match of the season against SRH. Sidhu claims Iyer reminds him of Shahid Afridi, but with brains. 

Shreyas Iyer is like a bulldozer. He reminds me of a better Shahid Afridi. An Afridi with better brains. He adapts to the situation. 
Navjot Singh Sidhu on Star Sports

Rishabh Pant almost hurts Ricky Ponting after comeback innings 

Rishabh Pant walked on to bat for the first time in over 14 months against Punjab Kings. The crowd rose up, applauding him. He played 13 balls, hitting 2 boundaries, before getting out to Harshal Patel. 

Ricky Ponting Rishabh Pant
Ricky Ponting and Rishabh Pant during the 2023 IPL (Image via ESPN)

Trying to play the upper-cut to a slower ball, the DC captain instead found Jonny Bairstow at backward point. He walked out frustrated. Returning to the bench after his dismissal, the captain sat next to coach Ricky Ponting. He almost grabbed his coach’s knee in anger, which Ponting noticed and tried to console him. 

DC lost their first match of the season. A poor batting and bowling display, along with an injury to Ishant Sharma, saw the Punjab Kings win at their new stadium. 

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