Navjot Singh Sidhu lands in controversy for breaching commentary agreement with Star

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New Delhi; Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has landed into a controversy as a three-year deal worth INR 22.5 crore between him and Star India has gone into intervention with the channel accusing him of breaching a contractual agreement of ‘exclusivity’.

According to a report published in Mid Day, the former India cricketer broke the agreement with his commentary stint in the Indian Premier League 2014.

Sidhu was expected to provide not less than 150 days of commentary for the first year of the agreement and not less than 180 days for the subsequent calendar years, as per the deal.

Star India also agreed to pay Sidhu the yearly fees in advance of Rs 8 crores, within six months of execution of the agreement.

However, the channel has alleged that despite getting the fees, Sidhu failed to meet his commitments as he could provide only 41 days of commentary and completely disregarded the exclusivity commitment by simultaneously agreeing to work for Sony during IPL 2014.

Accepting Star India's plea that arbitration proceedings be initiated for breach of contract so that it can seek damages and a refund of fees paid to Sidhu, Bombay High Court Justice R D Dhanuka appointed Mumbai-based Advocate Zal Andhyarujina as the sole arbitrator.