"After Sachin Tendulkar, He's The Second Player To...": Navjot Singh Sidhu In Awe Of Priyansh Arya

Former cricketer-turned-commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu has rooted for Punjab Kings opener Priyansh Arya to represent India in the international circuit for a long time following his blitzkrieg against Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. When Punjab were looking like a lost cause, dwindling at 83/5, with defeat staring at their face, Priyansh raised the tempo with a memorable outing with the bat. With the odds stacked against Punjab, he tore through Chennai's star-studded bowling unit, featuring Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

The 24-year-old rode on luck and saw Chennai flooring his catch twice as he walloped to a 39-ball century, his first in the cash-rich league. Priyansh's effortless strokeplay and belligerent approach, combined with finishing touches from Shashank Singh (52*) and Marco Jansen (34*), inspired PBKS to muscle its way to a daunting 219/6.

For Sidhu, who has seen various prospects develop, shine and leave in the world of cricket, Priyansh emerges as the second player who lives up to his criteria of being a "miracle" after the legendary 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar.

"Priyansh Arya will play for India for a long time. After Sachin Tendulkar, he is the second player who is a miracle (Sachin ke baad doosra khilaadi ha jo chamatkar ha) because today he scored a century in a tough situation. Look at the bowlers he faced; he scored a century at a 250-strike rate," Sidhu said in a video he posted on Instagram.

"When Shreyas, Nehal, and Prabhsimran were dismissed, he scored runs with his strong wrists. The way he scores sixes on point and covers, he covered all ranges. Pathirana, Jadjea, Ashwin and Noor were the bowlers