Balwinder Sandhu Biography 
Balwinder Sandhu is a legendary cricketer of Indian National team in the 1980s, best known for his significant contribution as an all-rounder in the world famous 1983 Cricket World Cup, where India surprisingly beat the world champions West Indies despite having made a small total of 183 runs in the finals. Sandhu was the tail-end batsman who batted at 11th position accumulating unbeaten 11 valuable runs when the team was bowled out. He also took two wickets bowling 9 overs. He gave the breakthrough to Indians by taking the first wicket of West Indies innings (opener Gordon Greenidge), marking the beginning of great fall of Indies in the world of cricket. Definitely he played a pivot role in India’s maiden world cup championship win. He was a student of Ramakant Achrekar, who has trained many great players for team India including Sachin Tendulkar.
He was born on 3 August 1956 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. A late entry to cricket, he started his first class cricket career in the early 1980s. He was spotted by Yeshwant Sidhaye in a summer camp. He later received training from the legendary Indian coach Ramakant Achrekar and also Hemu Dalvi – a first class player. He started as an off-spinner during his younger days. But his mentor Ramakant Achrekar advised him to develop his in-swinger which changed his destiny! His guru reminded him that he was talented and had a responsibility to fulfill.
He made his debut against Gujarat in 1980-1981season where he claimed nine wickets in the maiden innings. Though picked up for the season he didn’t receive opportunity for the first two matches, and when he got it, he surprised everyone by his wonderful spell. He took 25 wickets in the season. He made his ODI and test debut against Pakistan in 1982 and 1983 respectively. His quick score of 71 runs in the test match batting at 9 is still remembered.
But he is most remembered for that historic ball which marked the fall of West Indies, who fully dominated the world of cricket till then. Since then WI has never been able to retain their glory of 1970s. Not only did he put on 22 runs with Syed Kirmani in the last wicket of Cricket World Cup finals – 1983, he also took the first wicket of West Indies. He claimed two wickets total. India scored only 183 runs and it was the overall bowling performance by the team, which presented them the first world cup. The 12th ball faced by Gordon Greenidge still cherishes millions of Indian cricket fans. Though the ball was not so great, Sandhu is still remembered for giving the first break to India – the moment for which he is recalled most. He played only 8 Tests and 22 ODI’s for India.
Published: N/A
Updated: May 05, 2016
