Sachin derailed `Rawalpindi Express` countless times: Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu ridiculed Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar`s remarks against Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in the autobiography `Controversially Yours`.

Kolkata: Former India cricketer-turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday ridiculed Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar`s remarks against Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in the autobiography `Controversially Yours`.

Sidhu feels that Akhtar has resorted to cheap publicity gimmick while trying to demean Tendulkar and Dravid. In his inimitable manner, comparing Sachin to a temple, Sidhu said, "Many birds fly over temples and mosques, making them dirty. But it remains sacred and the excreta gets washed away during rain." "Tendulkar is an institution in himself. Players with such a record can never fear anyone... Sachin has derailed the Rawalpindi Express countless times," the BJP Parliamentarian said in his typical one-liners.” Asked whether `Bharat Ratna` should be conferred on Tendulkar, Sidhu said, "Sachin is already a Bharat Ratna -- country`s jewel. Name one person who has able to come near him. He is a colossal figure - the biggest peak (Mount Everest)," he said. On India`s debacle in England series, Sidhu said India lost the balance when injury ruled out pace spearhead Zaheer Khan in the very first Test. "A small leak can sink a big ship. The whole balance of the team was stirred as India resembled a hospital bed." PTI