Navjot Singh Sidhu Takes a Jab at Mohammad Amir After India's T20 World Cup Victory
India Advances to T20 World Cup Final
Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu did not hold back in his criticism of ex-Pakistani bowler Mohammad Amir after India secured a spot in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026. The Indian team triumphed over England by a narrow seven-run margin during the semifinal held at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5.
Prior to the semifinal, Amir had predicted that India would be eliminated from the tournament, expecting England to face New Zealand in the final. However, India defied expectations by defeating England and earning their place in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 8.
Earlier in the tournament, Amir had suggested that the defending champions would not make it past the Super 8 stage. Yet, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, India showcased dominance throughout the tournament, ultimately reaching the final.
Sidhu's Sharp Remarks on Amir's Predictions
Following India's semifinal victory, Sidhu took a pointed jab at Amir for his inaccurate forecasts, referring to him as 'dongi baba' and criticizing those who continue to make bold claims despite being proven wrong.
"Honestly, I think such people are just dhongi babas (fake babas). Initially, they claimed India wouldn’t even qualify for the semifinals, suggesting that teams like West Indies and South Africa would advance," Sidhu remarked in a video shared on his Instagram.
"However, once Sanju Samson returned, both those teams were eliminated. Now they said England would win the semifinal, and look what happened—they got knocked out too. Predictions don’t determine outcomes; matches are won on the field. Empty vessels make the most noise—that’s the essence of it," he added.
India's Performance in the Semifinal
India posted a formidable total of 253/7, with Sanju Samson leading the charge with an impressive 89 runs. Other key contributions came from Shivam Dube (43), Ishan Kishan (34), Hardik Pandya (27), and Tilak Varma (21). Despite Jacob Bethell's century for England, the team could only manage 246/7 in their 20 overs.
Hardik Pandya was instrumental with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 38 runs. Jasprit Bumrah (1/33), Axar Patel (1/35), and Varun Chakravarthy (1/64) each contributed with a wicket, helping India secure a thrilling seven-run victory.
Sidhu Praises India's All-Round Performance
Sidhu commended the Indian team for their comprehensive performance, stating that they played complete cricket and deserved recognition for their semifinal win against England. He highlighted Bumrah's pivotal role with the ball and noted that a dropped catch by Harry Brook proved to be a costly mistake.
"India played exceptionally well throughout the tournament. We must acknowledge their efforts. While I made a good prediction, the dropped catch was beyond my control. If you miss a catch against a player in form, it can change the game," Sidhu explained.
"The key difference between the two teams was Bumrah. Had Brook caught Samson's ball, England might have chased down the target with ease," he concluded.
Looking Ahead: India's Historic Final
With this victory, India is set to compete in their fourth T20 World Cup final, the most by any team in the tournament's history. They are on the brink of making history by potentially becoming the first team to win consecutive T20 World Cup titles and the first to do so on home soil. Additionally, a win against New Zealand would mark India's third title in this format.