Indian origin taxi driver’s son, Gurinder Sandhu, to debut for Oz

Mumbai: Gurinder Sandhu, the son of an Indian taxi-driver living in Sydney, is all set to play international cricket for Australia. He has been chosen in the Australian squad for the first two One Day International (ODI) matches against England and India

His father, Iqbal, told his correspondent: “We are delighted and he will the rare Indian to play for Australia. We are planning to watch all the matches of the ODI series and will cheer for Australia even when he is playing against India.”

“We shall support the Indian team when they play against England but will want Australia to win the series,” he added.

The 21-year-old right handed fast bowler Gurinder was born in Australia to a Punjabi family that migrated in the 1980s. His parents are from Hardialeana in Faridkot district.

(A glimpse of the swing bowler)

The family still keeps visiting India every three years.

“Though Gurinder’s hectic cricket schedule does not permit us to go there frequently now, he has gone alone to play some league matches,” added Iqbal.

Interestingly, the taxi driver father doesn't want to leave his profession. "I still drive taxis here because I love to drive and continue with my profession", he added.

Gurinder, however, is not the first Asian player to play for Australia as Usman Khawaja, the 28-year-old Pakistani-born top order batsman has played nine Tests and three ODIs.

However, according to Ric Finlay, an Australian, who is considered to be the leader in cricket database said there are at least two India-born players who have donned the Australian jersey earlier.

"Bransby Cooper (of Caucasian descent) was born in India, and played the sport’s first Test match (against England),” he said.

"In 1964, Rex Sellers, of partial Indian origin, played a Test for Australia", Finlay added.

Sellers – the leg-break bowler – was born in Valsad (Gujarat) while Cooper was born in Dacca, British India.