Ambati Rayudu Calls Navjot Singh Sidhu a 'Girgit' During On-Air Spat; Sidhu gives befitting reply, targets MSD cryptically

Chennai: The Indian Premier League 2025 witnessed drama off the field when former cricketers Ambati Rayudu and Navjot Singh Sidhu engaged in a heated exchange during live commentary of the Punjab Kings versus Chennai Super Kings match in Mullanpur.

What began as playful banter quickly escalated into a tense situation when Sidhu appeared to make a veiled jibe at MS Dhoni, sending social media into a frenzy.

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Commentary Box Confrontation

During the live broadcast, Rayudu, who won three IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings, initiated the exchange by taking a dig at Sidhu's history of changing teams.

"Aap team badal rahe ho (You are changing your team)," Rayudu remarked with a smile, seemingly referring to Sidhu's varied associations across cricket and other fields.

The 61-year-old former India opener was quick to respond with a sharp retort that silenced his fellow commentator. "Is sansar me girgit ki tarah koi hai to tumhare aradhyadev hai (If there's someone like a chameleon in this world, it is your idol)," Sidhu fired back.

Though Sidhu didn't explicitly name anyone, the comment was widely interpreted as a reference to MS Dhoni, especially when the broadcast cameras immediately cut to the CSK dressing room showing Dhoni practicing his batting technique.

Not Rayudu's First Controversy

This incident adds to Rayudu's growing reputation for stirring controversy in the commentary box during IPL 2025. Earlier in the tournament, the six-time IPL champion clashed with former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar over Rohit Sharma's role in the Mumbai Indians setup.

The disagreement centered around captaincy dynamics after Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit as Mumbai Indians captain this season. Bangar suggested that Rohit should provide strategic support to Pandya during fielding.

Rayudu strongly disagreed, stating, "I don't think Hardik needs input. A captain needs to be left alone. Dhoni was not at his ears all the time. Same for Rohit. Then why should Hardik have 10 people at his ears?"

Bangar's response highlighted Rayudu's lack of captaincy experience: "For you, it was different because you never led an IPL team. But here is a guy who has led the team to multiple IPL titles."

Decorated IPL Career

Despite the controversies surrounding his commentary stint, Rayudu's credentials as a player remain impressive. He shares a unique distinction with Rohit Sharma as the only players to have won six IPL titles.

Rayudu's championship journey began with Mumbai Indians, where he was part of the title-winning squads in 2013, 2015, and 2017. He then moved to Chennai Super Kings, adding three more trophies to his cabinet in 2018, 2021, and 2023.

His successful stint with CSK cemented his relationship with the franchise and its iconic captain MS Dhoni, making Sidhu's apparent jibe particularly provocative.

Social Media Reaction

The video of the exchange between Rayudu and Sidhu has gone viral across social media platforms, with fans divided in their reactions. While some have criticized Sidhu for what they perceive as disrespect toward Dhoni, others have defended his right to express his opinion.

Cricket analyst Harsha Verma commented, "Commentary boxes are becoming increasingly confrontational this IPL season. While it makes for entertaining television, there's a fine line between banter and disrespect that shouldn't be crossed, especially when legends of the game are involved."

Changing Dynamics in Cricket Commentary

The incident highlights the evolving nature of cricket commentary in India, with broadcasters increasingly encouraging more opinionated and unfiltered discussions to boost viewership.

"The old guard of diplomatic, technically-focused commentary is giving way to more personality-driven approaches," notes sports media expert Rahul Kapoor. "Former players like Rayudu bring their recent experiences and connections to the commentary box, but this can sometimes lead to personal biases creeping into professional analysis."

As the IPL 2025 progresses, the focus remains on whether these commentary box clashes will continue or whether broadcasters might step in to maintain a more harmonious atmosphere.

For now, fans continue to dissect and debate the Rayudu-Sidhu exchange, with many wondering if there will be any response from the Chennai Super Kings camp or MS Dhoni himself regarding the implied criticism.