Name Hindi: बलविंदर संधू / Gender Man
Balwinder Sandhu: A Legendary Sportsman in the Cricket Field
Considered an essential figure on both national and international cricket fields, Balwinder Sandhu is praised for his contributions to Indian cricket. He revolutionized fast bowling in India and has gifted time and talent not only as a player but also as a coach.
Early Life of Balwinder Sandhu
Sandhu’s journey into sports started in Punjab, India, where he was born on October 3, 1956. Despite the dearth of sophisticated facilities and resources during his childhood, he showed immense passion and potential at a very young age which would eventually take him to great heights in the cricket sphere.
Career Highlights
- The Beginning: Sandhu’s professional career commenced when he played for Mumbai (then known as Bombay) from 1980-81.
- An Unexpected Selection: In 1982-83, Sandhu got unexpectedly chosen for the tour of Pakistan due it being injury-ridden times for many cricketers. This chance proved pivotal in his career taking off.
- Crowning Glory: The glorious moment arrived when Balwinder Sandhu became part of the iconic World Cup-winning team that lifted the trophy in England in 1983.
- Remarkable Bowling Feat: One of the most memorable highlights of Sandhu’s playing history includes his famous inswing delivery to Gordon Greenidge in the Finals of the 1983 World Cup.
- The Farewell Match:A disappointing tour by Australia led to his final test match playing against Pakistan at Jullundur in 1984.
Transition to Coaching Role
Rather than retreating from the cricket world post-playing career, Sandhu transitioned into coaching where he continued his legacy. He contributed enormously as a fast bowling coach for India’s national team and was vital in India’s stellar performance at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy in 2002-03. His coaching services extended beyond international boundaries when he became the head coach of ICL’s Mumbai Champs team in 2007.
Awards and Recognition
- The Most Promising Fast Bowler: In recognition of his remarkable efforts during the Pakistan tour in 1984, Balwinder Sandhu was declared ‘The Most Promising Fast Bowler’ by Indian Cricketers’ Association.
- Honored by BCCI:In acknowledgment of his contributions towards cricket, The Board of Control for Cricket in India awarded him with a special award on February 2013.
- Biographical Movie Feature: Sandhu’s life achievements were immortalized through his character portrayed by Ammy Virk in the biographical film “’83,” which narrated the story behind India’s historic victory in the World Cup of that year.
In conclusion, Balwinder Singh Sandhu’s journey is quite exemplary; a testament to relentless passion, dedication, hard work and love for cricket. Despite considerations about being one of lesser known faces amongst titans like Kapil Dev or Sunil Gavaskar, there’s no denying that Sandhu’s name will always remain etched in history for his role as both an accomplished player and inspiring coach.
