Navjot Singh Sidhu

DOB: 20th October 1963
Navjot Singh Sidhu is presently a prominent politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. His present political interests are confined to Punjab. He is also a media personality and former international cricketer. He now serves as the state-level President of the Punjab Congress. He previously held the portfolio of the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in the Punjab government.

Personal Information

Date of Birth: 20th October 1963

Place of Birth: Patiala, Punjab

Political Allegiance: INC (2017 – present)

Previous Political Affiliations: BJP (2004 – 2016)

Spouse: Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu

Children: 2 (A son and a daughter)

Residence: Amritsar

Academics:
- Mohindra College
- H.R. College of Commerce and Economics
- Panjab University

Occupation: Cricketer, Commentator, Television Celebrity, Politician

As a Cricketer

Navjot Sidhu had been a member of the Indian cricket team for over 15 years, but he had never been assigned a leadership role. Sidhu, a Patiala native, began playing international cricket in the 1980s and retired in 1999. He was known for his batting style during his initial time. However, at a later stage, he changed his batting style and became an aggressive batsman, especially against spinners.

As a Sports Commentator and Television Personality

When India visited Sri Lanka in 2001, Sidhu began his 2nd innings as a cricket commentator. He excelled in his new role for his one-liners, popularly known as "Sidhuisms." People across the globe thoroughly enjoyed his commentary stints in the Indian Premier League. Sidhu’s dialogue delivery and hilarious one liners really caught viewer’s attention. Sidhu has appeared in the television show ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’ as an adjudicator. He played himself in the television series Kareena Kareena. Besides, he was a competitor on the reality show Bigg Boss 6. Sidhu was a regular guest on the comedy show, Comedy Nights with Kapil. He appeared on The Kapil Sharma Show season 1 and 2 and Family Time with Kapil Sharma as a regular guest.

Political Graph

Navjot Singh Sidhu, a former international cricketer, entered politics in 2004 when he ran for the BJP in Amritsar, Punjab. Sidhu also won in Amritsar in 2009, but his erstwhile party, the BJP, requested him not to run in 2014. In his place, Arun Jaitley was elected as the nominee from the said seat. After being elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2016, Sidhu left Rajya Sabha in the same year. In 2017, he associated himself with the Indian National Congress, contested the Punjab Legislative Assembly from Amritsar East, and won the assembly elections. Presently, he does not hold any state cabinet portfolio. However, Sidhu is the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee.