Sachin Tendulkar's lookalike loses job amid the lockdown, tests COVID-19 positive after returning to his village

The coronavirus pandemic has turned the lives of several individuals upside down. The COVID-19 outbreak, since its initiation, has taken a toll on human existence. But on top of that, it has majorly disrupted the lives of the working class. Be it labourers, employees or actors, the pandemic has snitched the jobs of lakhs of working individuals.

The pandemic also distorted Balvir Chand’s life, who has been working as a doppelganger of Sachin Tendulkar for the last three decades. Like many other individuals, Chand had to face the pandemic’s consequences as he lost his job amid the lockdown. The 50-year-old has been a regular face on Indian television as Tendulkar’s double in many advertisements.

After losing his job amid the lockdown, Chand departed back to his village earlier this month, only to find out that he had also contracted the virus. Chand and his family were tested COVID-19 positive and were shifted to the hospital. Earlier this week, Chand was told he can leave the isolation ward.

“They (Goli Vada Pav No 1, Chand’s employers) lost business after the lockdown and let go of a lot of staff. I too was asked to leave; they said they would hire me back when things improve,” Chand was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Balvir Chand remembers meeting Tendulkar for the first time

Chand had received national recognition when Sunil Gavaskar had invited him to the commentary box in 1999 during an India Test. He even recalled meeting Tendulkar for the first time in Taj, where he asked for autographs on his own pictures.

“Later, they took me to Taj hotel to meet Sachin ji. I asked for autographs on six photos I had carried. He was busy signing them when I told him ‘these are my photos, not yours’. He was startled, looked at me and smiled,” remembered Chand.

Chand has acted as Tendulkar’s double in a plethora of advertisements for brands like MRF, Toshiba, Reynolds and TVS. Like Tendulkar, Chand also was a star attraction at public places as people would flock around him, asking for photographs. Chand was also given roles to play Tendulkar in Bollywood films.