I would love to go on a dinner date with Roger Federer: Gurinder Sandhu [Interview]

Gurinder Sandhu’s career might not have taken off for the time being, but he remains one of the most talented fast bowlers in the country. The pacer came to the fore as a teenager when he took part in the 2012 U19 World Cup. The right-arm bowler picked up 10 wickets from six games and helped Australia to the final where the team lost to Unmukt Chand’s India in Townsville.

In the same year, Sandhu made his debut for the Sydney Thunder in the 2012-13 Big Bash League. In the 10th edition of the BBL, the speedster made a move to the Sydney Sixers. In 50 matches in the tournament, Sandhu has picked up 43 wickets at a decent economy rate. The 28-year-old Sandhu also has 73 and 104 wickets in first-class and List A cricket respectively from 89 matches.

Back in 2015, Sandhu made his debut for Australia in an ODI against India at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, after the ODI in Hobart a few later, he lost his place in the national team. Almost six and half years down the line, he is looking to stake his claim back into the national setup.

In the meantime, Sandhu took time out of his chock-a-block schedule and featured on CricTracker’s short Question-and-Answer segment ‘Free Hit’. During the chat, he talked about his Indian parents and also shared his opinions on Indian cricketers and the cash-rich IPL as well.

Here are the excerpts from Gurinder Sandhu’s interview:

Which IPL team would you like to play for?

I would like to play for Punjab Kings because Punjab is the place where my father and mother grew up.

What’s the weirdest habit you have?

I am stubborn at times. It’s not a habit, but a trait, I guess.

Which Australian cricketer googles himself the most?

Usman Khawaja.

What’s your favourite Indian dish?

My mother’s Butter Chicken.

Who’s your cricket idol?

Andrew Flintoff, Zaheer Khan and Glenn McGrath.

What’s a destination you would like to visit?

Anywhere in Europe.

What’s the cricket record you would like to achieve?

To play 50 and 100 ODI matches for Australia.

What’s the best T20 league in the world?

Big Bash League.

What’s the one thing that no one knows about Australia?

Kangaroos don’t just jump around everywhere.

Who’s the laziest cricket in the Sydney Sixers team?

Carlos Brathwaite.

Who’s the batsman from the past you would like to bowl?

Sachin Tendulkar.

Who’s the Indian cricketer you like a lot?

Mayank Agarwal. I’ll call him a very close friend. Luckily in the 2015 IPL, I got very close to him and I love watching him play cricket.

Are you a better dancer or singer?

Dancer. I wish I could sing, but I can’t.

Describe your first international wicket and whom did you dismiss?

It was Ajinkya Rahane at the MCG. I bowled just short of a good-length delivery, and it bounced a little extra. Ajinkya tried to punch the ball through the off-side and got an edge to the keeper.

What’s the funniest sledge you have faced on the field?

I haven’t been sledged too often.

What’s your all-time favourite movie?

Too Fast Too Furious.

Who’s the last person you called?

It’s my mother.

What’s the best format of cricket according to you?

I enjoy playing One Day cricket a lot.

Which is the best cricket stadium in the world?

The Sydney Cricket Ground.

Who’s the celebrity you would like to go on a dinner date with?

Roger Federer.