Mumbai: He is a Punjabi born in New South Wales. No, he did not play for India but represented Australia – his country – and ironically, made his One Day International (ODI) debut recently against the Indians. Now, Gurinder Sandhu, the 21-year-old fast bowler, is set for a return to his motherland. How? Delhi Daredevils – the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise – roped him for Rs. 1.7 crore at the auction for the 2015 season of the cash-rich tournament.
Sandhu wore the Australian jersey from the Under-19 level and is also a part of Sydney Thunder in the popular Big Bash League (BBL). With names like Trent Boult and Mitchell McClenaghan in the proceedings, what made Delhi go for Sandhu?
(Gurinder Sandhu during a BBL game, Photo: Twitter)
Team mentor TA Sekar said: “I have been following him for two years now. I have contacts in Australia and I keep talking to people. Everyone said he is very good in the shorter format.
“He even made his ODI debut now.”
Sekar, a pace bowler in his time, was associated with MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai for years deconstructing major Indian fast bowlers.
“Sandhu has lots of variations and can turn out to be a good death bowler as well. We needed somebody like him and hence, we got him,” added Sekar.
The Indian-origin Sandhu’s presence in the Delhi outfit may attract the crowd too as he is the first male cricketer from the Indian ancestry to represent Australia. His parents – who moved to Australia in the 1980s – are from Hardialeana in Faridkot district. His father, Iqbal, is a taxi driver by profession.
Sekar’s decision-making at the bidding table became easier because he had followed Sandhu in BBL.
“I went to Australia to watch a couple of Sydney Thunder matches where he bowled extremely well. He generates good bounce and has a mix of slower ones and yorkers. He doesn’t provide much width,” said Sekar, who has helped bowlers like Zaheer Khan in the past.
Talking about Khan (bought by Delhi for Rs. 4 crore), he asserted, “Sandhu is likely to share the ball with Zaheer who will play a crucial role in the team. He will be leading the pack, mentoring the youngsters, sharing his knowledge with these bowlers due to his wealth of experience.”
Sekar agreed that playing in Australian conditions since childhood helped Sandhu stand in good stead but added: “These days, most bowlers know the Indian conditions well. Earlier, at times, the Australians used to be confused what line to bowl in the subcontinent but now they have learnt the trick.”
However, it remains to be seen whether Sandhu’s first stint on the Indian soil earns him praises from his own people. IPL will definitely witness an unique incident – a Punjabi from Australia in Delhi colours. He will also have Yuvraj Singh - who attracted a record bid (Rs. 16 crore) for the second consecutive year - as teammate.
A glimpse of the bowler in action (see below)
