With nine wickets in five matches, Gurinder Singh Sandhu is Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker so far in the ICC Under-19 World Cup. The right-arm fast bowler of Indian origin is one of captain Will Bosisto’s go-to men on the field, and will look to shine in the final against the country of his forefathers.
Gurinder was born in 1993 to Mukhtyar and Iqbal Sandhu, who migrated from Faridkot district in Punjab and settled Down Under in the previous decade.
Growing up, the boy idolised pace superstar Brett Lee and, like him, dreamt of donning Australia colours in international cricket.
That dream is well on its way to turning into reality as Gurinder has recently been given a rookie contract with the powerhouses of Australian domestic cricket, New South Wales.
The 19-year-old lad is already the first male cricketer of Indian origin to represent the country in any international competition of note and, if he keeps up the good work, could become the second Asian-origin player after Usman Khawaja to play for the Australian senior team. Fast bowler Lisa Sthalekar was the first woman of Indian origin to play for the country.
If he does make it to the top level, it would mean a great new life for dad Iqbal, who drives a taxi in Sydney.
But without a doubt, Gurinder’s focus will be on the first job at hand — to go up against the Indian batsmen in the World Cup final in Townsville on Sunday and help Australia grab their fourth title at the Under-19 level.
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