Balwinder Sandhu, a former Indian fast bowler, celebrated his 67th birthday yesterday. Born on August 3, 1956, in Mumbai (then known as Bombay), Sandhu represented India in eight Tests and 22 ODI matches from 1982 to 1984. He is best known for his performance in the 1983 World Cup final, where he took the wickets of Gordon Greenidge and Faoud Bacchus.
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Balwinder Sandhu helped India win its first-ever World Cup. Sandhu is remembered by Indian cricket fans for picking up Greenidge’s wicket in the 1983 World Cup final. India defeated two-time defending champions West Indies in the mega event. Though West Indies were favourites, India won due to their clinical bowling performance. But, after the win, Sandhu was one of the few players who faded away. On his 67th birthday today, let’s look at three things that you might not know about the former Indian fast bowler. 22
Balwinder Sandhu scored the most runs on his Test debut while batting at number 9
Sandhu was a specialist fast bowler, but in his debut Test against Pakistan, he also proved his worth in the batting department. Sandhu received his maiden Test cap in the fourth match of the India vs Pakistan Test series in 1983. He quickly dismissed Mohsin Khan and Haroon Rasheed. Although Pakistan scored a mammoth 581/3 dec. in the first innings, Sandhu helped India avoid the follow-on by scoring 71 off 88 balls. He hit nine fours and two sixes before Sarfaraz Nawaz dismissed him.India lost the Test by an innings and 119 runs, but Sandhu scored the highest in the first innings.
Balwinder Sandhu didn’t bat or bowl in his final ODI match
Sandhu’s final ODI appearance for India was in a match against Pakistan in Sialkot on October 31, 1984. It was the second ODI of the three-match series between the two arch-rivals. India batted first and were 210/3 after 40 overs when the match was called off due to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination. The tour was called off as well. Sandhu didn’t bat or bowl and wasn’t chosen in India’s playing XI after that tour.
Balwinder Sandhu is a successful coach
After retiring from cricket, Sandhu became a coach. He started coaching locally before transitioning into the domestic circuit. In 1996-97, Sandhu coached the Mumbai squad that won the Ranji Trophy championship. In 1998, Sandhu coached Mumbai squad won against Mark Taylor’s Australian side by 10 wickets. Sandhu also coached Maharashtra and Baroda. He applied for the Indian head coach’s position in 2016 but lost to Ravi Shastri.
