I am sure that it’s not the last time I would end up being confused with Navjot Singh Sidhu, a former cricketer from India turned commentator. In recent weeks, traffic to this website has spiked at an alarming rate, and a quick glance at the search terms in my portal suggests that I’m not the person many of you are looking for. You’re looking for “the other Navjot Singh,” who is a television personality and a Indian cricketing legend. I have met Navjot Singh Sidhu a few times. The last time we met was briefly in the summer of 2002 during a England Vs India Test Match at the Oval Cricket ground in London. I was a junior intern assisting the media, and it was there that Navjot was commentating for ESPN Sports, and the UK's Channel 4 with Dermot Reeve, the former England cricketer.
In my experience, the majority of the time I have crossed paths with native Indians anywhere in the world, they always tend to go into hysterical laughter along with the questions: 'Oh, wow, your name is Navjot...so you know Navjot Singh Sidhu is a cricketer right?, 'Do you personally know Navjot Singh Sidhu?' 'Do you play cricket also?'. I am not sure if this is a natural reaction that is given to anyone named 'Navjot', but it is rather annoying (no offense to my famous namesake)- and I suppose there is nothing I can do about this either. I wonder if anyone by chance called 'Mike Jagger', Michael Atherton', 'Bruce Willis', 'Yao Ming', and so on, would get a similar comical approach by their countrymen?
A quick search on Google also proved to me that there are over 300,000 results when someone types the word 'Navjot Singh', and likewise there are over 500 people named Navjot Singh on Facebook (I thought I was the only one...seriously!).
There are many differences between Navjot and I, but here are some: I am a British man (of Indian origin), I live in China and the U.K., and I have not been to India for over 14 years; Navjot lives in India, is a practising turbaned Sikh, and is somewhat of a cult television personality there (I am not…). I also love diving, travelling, and aviation (I am not aware if Navjot does). Finally, (and sorry to disappoint hard core cricket fans), I am not into cricket. Though I used to love playing the game as a kid but not anymore. So, therefore I urge you to search for “Navjot Singh Sidhu” instead of just 'Navjot Singh'. Happy searching. –Navjot Singh
In my experience, the majority of the time I have crossed paths with native Indians anywhere in the world, they always tend to go into hysterical laughter along with the questions: 'Oh, wow, your name is Navjot...so you know Navjot Singh Sidhu is a cricketer right?, 'Do you personally know Navjot Singh Sidhu?' 'Do you play cricket also?'. I am not sure if this is a natural reaction that is given to anyone named 'Navjot', but it is rather annoying (no offense to my famous namesake)- and I suppose there is nothing I can do about this either. I wonder if anyone by chance called 'Mike Jagger', Michael Atherton', 'Bruce Willis', 'Yao Ming', and so on, would get a similar comical approach by their countrymen?
A quick search on Google also proved to me that there are over 300,000 results when someone types the word 'Navjot Singh', and likewise there are over 500 people named Navjot Singh on Facebook (I thought I was the only one...seriously!).
There are many differences between Navjot and I, but here are some: I am a British man (of Indian origin), I live in China and the U.K., and I have not been to India for over 14 years; Navjot lives in India, is a practising turbaned Sikh, and is somewhat of a cult television personality there (I am not…). I also love diving, travelling, and aviation (I am not aware if Navjot does). Finally, (and sorry to disappoint hard core cricket fans), I am not into cricket. Though I used to love playing the game as a kid but not anymore. So, therefore I urge you to search for “Navjot Singh Sidhu” instead of just 'Navjot Singh'. Happy searching. –Navjot Singh
Former Indian cricketing legend, Navjot Singh Sidhu: Photo Copyright Times of India
Navjot Singh Sidhu- the great man is known for wearing colourful turbans, and matching designer suits & ties: Photo Copyright Times of India
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