Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who took a self-exit from reality show Bigg Boss 6 last night, says that admitting his act of cheating in cricket took a burden off his chest. “I feel so relieved. I have lived with it for so many years. A big burden is off my chest,” says the 49-year-old, unperturbed about his confession possibly tarnishing his image.
“I’ve taken the path of truth, so why should I be ashamed? It was the last ball, they needed just four runs to win. I took the catch and discovered that my leg had touched the boundary line. I wanted to say it but before I could, everyone started rejoicing India’s win. I was just 25, too young and naïve, so just kept quiet,” says Sidhu, detailing his unfair play against West Indies at Sharjah in 1988.
Talking about his sudden summon from BJP to campaign for the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections, he says, “It’s a contingency, the party needs me. I’m ready to pay the penalty but that’s okay. I was not here for money.” Was he upset about leaving the show?
“They put me through extreme conditions such as the panic room and lie detection test, which no-one underwent. Yet, they couldn’t break me ... I never lost my cool and finally left the house with dignity. That’s my success.”
“They put me through extreme conditions such as the panic room and lie detection test, which no-one underwent. Yet, they couldn’t break me ... I never lost my cool and finally left the house with dignity. That’s my success.”