10 unsung World Cup Heroes

#9 Balwinder Singh Sandhu

Sandhu took a few crucial wickets at the 1983 World Cup

When India’s bowling attack during the 1983 World Cup is discussed, the names that are generally talked a

bout are Madan Lal, Roger Binny and Mohinder Amarnath. However, there is another bowler who made some crucial contributions during the tournament but his name hasn’t stood the test of time. He is Balwinder Singh Sandhu.

Sandhu began his tournament by taking the wicket of Gordon Greenidge in India’s tournament opener against West Indies at Manchester. He took another wicket against Zimbabwe before going wicket-less against Australia.

In the second-half of group games, Sandhu took a wicket each against West Indies and Zimbabwe before taking two wickets against Australia. The 26-year old went wicket-less in the semi-final against England.

However, Balwinder Singh Sandhu’s most memorable moment in the 1983 World Cup came in the final. India had to defend a paltry 183 and opening the Windies batting was the formidable duo of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes.

In Gordon Greenidge’s 12th delivery, Sandhu bowled a delivery which was pitching outside the off-stump. Greenidge tried to defend the delivery by letting it go but the ball curled in and shattered his stumps. This was the start that India desperately needed. Sandhu went on to take another wicket, that of Faoud Bacchus’.

Balwinder Singh Sandhu ended the 1983 World Cup with 8 wickets which is half of his ODI tally.