It is unlikely that Shane Warne is even aware that Navjot Singh Sidhu has become a political creature and is a Member of Parliament. But does he remember the awful battering the extrovert Sardar gave him on the Indian tour of 1997-’98?  He set the wheels in motion in a manner of speaking, for the onslaught on the Australian leg-spinner, charging him to hit high and hard and then cutting him when the bowler pitched short, inspired Sachin Tendulkar.

If one remembers the last two players on the list, Warne’s 100 best are two Australians who have not played international cricket. That is all right, as it is a matter of personal preference. But if Sidhu has been left out, then injustice has been done.

Sidhu played spin better than most batsmen and one remembers that after criticism at being called a “strokeless wonder”, he decided once and for all that he would show his critic he could play all the strokes. According to him, he worked on his hitting in his backyard getting his servants to bowl at him and sending the ball long distances.

Sidhu was a player of moods but always dangerous when the mood seized him. And one remembers he singled out Warne for the treatment like he had done Muthiah Muralitharan, the Sri Lankan freak spinner. But then people do tend to forget.

Of course, it is a matter of pride that Warne rates Sachin right at the top. However, Muralitharan would give pride of place to Brian Lara, because being a left-hander, he played him better than any one else in the game.

Not for nothing is it said that out of sight is out of mind. So, if Warne has forgotten the amiable Sardar, one cannot blame him. But one look at the records might send Warne scurrying to include Sidhu among the batsmen who played him pretty well.