The Punjab and Haryana High Court found Sidhu guilty last week of "culpable homicide not amounting to murder" -- a charge similar to manslaughter -- for the 1988 death.

Sidhu, who was to appeal to the federal Supreme Court, dragged an elderly man out of his car and showered him with blows after a road accident.

The celebrated 43-year-old television wit had previously been acquitted of the charges in 1999 by a lower state court. The case has been closely monitored as a test of India's judicial system.

After the conviction, Sidhu resigned as an MP representing the Sikh holy city of Amritsar for the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Prosecution counsel RS Ghai demanded the maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars and asked for bail to be turned down.

Sidhu's defence counsel argued the crime "happened on the spur of the moment" and that "this is a fittest case for imposing a fine".

"I am happy that the entire nation is with me," Sidhu told the Press Trust of India.

He played 51 Test matches and 136 one-day internationals between 1983 and 1999, and is a popular cricket commentator known for his flamboyance and verbal dexterity.

The sentence came the day after Indian coal minister Shibu Soren was jailed for life for conspiracy in the abduction and murder of a former aide, who was allegedly blackmailing the minister in a bribery scandal.

Both cases have sparked a major debate in India, where political parties regularly support candidates who face serious criminal charges.

"Sidhu is not only a politician but a celebrity cricketer. He endorses brands and comes on air. These are the rich and powerful being subjected to the rule of law," said political analyst Mahesh Rangarajan.

"Particularly, Soren will have a major effect. This is a sitting cabinet minister being convicted for murder. He's getting life -- this is almost as tough as it gets," he added. Soren resigned as a minister after the verdict but has not stood down from parliament.